On the march to western Europe: Shocking pictures show thousands of migrants trudging across the Balkans

•Battling howling winds, driving rain and icy temperatures, thousands of migrants today marched into Slovenia

•Photographed from above, the refugees formed a single column as they crossed into the country from Croatia

•It comes as Slovenia's Prime Minister warns the EU will break up if leaders cannot agree on how to deal with crisis

Battling strong winds, driving rain, mud and freezing temperatures, these stunning photographs show a slow trek of thousands of migrants making their way to Europe amid the harsh conditions of the oncoming winter.

As one European leader warns the ever growing crisis will see the EU fall apart 'in weeks', tens of thousands of people are continuing to try and reach the Eurozone via the arduous Balkans route.

And as these pictures show, they are prepared to do so despite often overwhelmingly difficult conditions.

The huge column of migrants passes through fields in Rigonce, Slovenia, after having been held at the Croatia border for several days

As winter approaches, many migrants are forced to wait in freezing temperatures, driving rain and howling winds

The column of migrants are just a handful of the tens of thousands to have crossed into the country in the past week

The column of migrants was filmed from the sky as it weaved through fields in Rigonce, Slovenia, after having passed into the country from Croatia.

Tens of thousands of people are trying to reach central and northern Europe via the Balkans, but often have to wait for days in mud and rain at the Serbian, Croatian and Slovenian borders.

Slovenia's premier this weekend warned the European Union that it 'is weeks away from falling apart' if the bloc cannot agree on a plan to confront the sudden influx of refugees through the Balkans.

fellow central and eastern leaders in Brussels for emergency talks.

He said: 'If we don't find a solution today, if we don't do everything we can today, then it is the end of the European Union as such. If we don't deliver concrete action, I believe Europe will start falling apart.'

Since October 17, more than 62,000 migrants have arrived in Slovenia, with some 14,000 still passing through the country on today alone.

Cerar said Croatia, which has already seen some 230,000 migrants pass through since mid-September, was still waiving migrants through into Slovenia without alerting Slovenia authorities.

Solvenia's premier has complained about the country's influx of migrants triggered by its neighbour Hungary's construction of a barrier

Romania, Bulgaria and Serbia have all now warned they could close their borders if Germany and Austria stop accepting migrants.

More than 680,000 migrants and refugees have crossed to Europe by sea so far this year from the Middle East, Africa and Asia, according to the International Organization for Migration.