ZAGREB, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Cold snap has hit Croatia with sub-zero temperatures, strong winds and heavy snow blanketing the continental part of the country.

The weather has prompted authorities to issue a traffic ban on trucks and ordered the use of winter equipment for all other vehicles in the snow-hit regions, the Croatian Automobile Club (HAK) said Friday.

The mountainous parts of the country are getting a blast of frigid temperatures, sleet, snow and ice, warned the Croatian Meteorological Institute (DHMZ). Weather observers say the Velebit mountain received more than two meters of snow.

Snowfalls and blizzards are also causing havoc on highways and roads, while ferry services between the mainland and islands are also being interrupted. Snow ploughs have been used to clear roads in the capital and other cities.

This is considered to be the extreme weather for the southeastern European country in February, with a record-breaking freeze to follow next week, according to DHMZ.

The temperatures are forecast to fall to minus 20 degree Celcius, well below the typical average for this time of the year, with hurricane-strong wind predicted.