Iran Gets Up to 4 Feet of Snow; Airports, Schools Closed (PHOTOS)

A major winter storm dumped feet of snow on parts of northern Iran over the weekend, which closed schools and airports but delivered much-needed precipitation to a parched region.

The snow fell from Thursday through Saturday, and as much as 4 feet accumulated in the higher elevations, according to the French Press Agency. Snow totals were more modest in the lower elevations, but it was still more than enough to shut down travel and many businesses, state media said.

The winter storm came during a period of extreme, prolonged drought that has gripped the region, the Associated Press said. Mehrabad and Imam Khomeini airports were closed indefinitely and all flights were canceled because of the snowstorm, the AP also said.

Travel problems extended to the roadways, where thousands of drivers were stranded on icy roads in western Tehran, according to the Tehran Times. Cars ran out of gas during the 12-hour standstill, and at least 1,400 travelers were brought to temporary shelters, the report added.

"It's been nine hours that we are stuck out here with hundreds of other cars. We haven't budged one meter," former cabinet member Mohammad Ali Abtahi said in a social media post, as reported by AFP. He became stranded on the way to Qom, located south of Tehran.

Despite the shutdowns, citizens enjoyed the snow, heading to the ski slopes or taking to the streets to build snowmen and take part in sledding.