Snow-covered railway tracks and stoppages in traffic.
The storm that has moved in over the Norrland coast is expected to make a big difference during Thursday morning.
– It only takes a minute or so before it’s closed again, says Trafikverket’s press manager Bengt Olsson.
The snowy weather that characterized southern Sweden on Wednesday has found its way up the country.
SMHI has issued an orange weather warning for wind in combination with persistent snowfall in Västernorrland County’s coastal area and southern Västerbotten’s coastal area.
– It’s quite noisy generally from Örnsköldsvik up to Umeå, but also a bit inland, says Bengt Olsson, press manager at the Swedish Transport Administration.
Is there an impact on train traffic: “Delayed”
The weather is expected to have a major impact on both roads and public transport. Already during the morning, problems have arisen. On the E4 outside Härnösand, several lorries are said to have got stuck on a hill and temporarily stopped northbound traffic.
But it is the messiest for the trains where large drifts of snow have entered the tracks and have not had time to be cleared away.
– Traffic is moving, but it is seriously delayed on some lines. I think around 20 trains are affected, says Bengt Olsson and continues:
– In terms of Stockholm measures, Gothenburg measures or Malmö measures, it is very little. There is a lot up there.
Renew in a few minutes
In some parts, as much as 30 centimeters of snow could fall by lunchtime. Bengt Olsson therefore urges caution if you venture out into traffic and says that you should keep an eye on the local weather forecast.
– It will be very difficult for society in some parts and it can be very locally tied.
He also advises those who can wait with their trip.
– The combination of strong wind and a lot of snow, 30 centimeters and that wind means that it can be over a meter straight away because it is blowing again all the time.
And for the Swedish Transport Administration’s work, this means serious concerns.
– If you’ve done the work, it’s just a matter of redoing it right away. It only takes a minute or so and it’s all over again, says Bengt Olsson.