An estimated 15-20cm of snow has fallen in Jerusalem, shutting down roads into the city in the biggest winter storm in 20 years.

Schools and nurseries are to be closed on Thursday across northern Israel and the West Bank, courts have been shut, buses are not running and the Jerusalem-Tel Aviv Highway is closed.

To ease the transport problems, more trains are running from Tel Aviv and there is free travel on the Jerusalem light railway in order to discourage motorists venturing out on the city’s slushy streets.

Snow is expected to continue falling throughout Thursday, meaning roads will probably stay closed for at least the rest of the day.