Right now there are major traffic problems on national highway 50 south of Dalarna with long queues and slippery roads.
Road users in the area are now being asked to consider and find alternative routes through Dalarna.
– I would avoid national highway 50 through Dalarna right now, says Trafikverket’s press manager Bengt Olsson to TV4 Nyheterna.
During Monday, the snow storm swept across Sweden and caused major traffic problems and accidents, mainly in Värmland and Gävleborg.
On Tuesday morning, SMHI eased most of the weather warnings from orange to yellow. In northern Gästrikland, however, the orange warning for heavy snowfall and wind applies until Wednesday evening.
According to Bengt Olsson, press manager at the Swedish Transport Administration, traffic is particularly affected around southwest Gävleborg towards Dalarna.
– The traffic south of Falun on national highway 50 is tough right now and quite bumpy, he says.
“It’s the queues of the world”
He describes National Highway 50 south of Dalarna as a typical road for people going to the mountains, and there have been reports of a truck that overturned and cars with trailers that ended up across the lanes.
Due to the current situation in the area, he wants to encourage people to choose other routes if possible.
– It’s the queues of the world. I would avoid highway 50 through Dalarna right now, says Bengt Olsson.
It is recommended to put on the winter tires
Bengt Olsson estimates that the problems around the area will be resolved during the day, but urges road users in these areas to change to winter tires or friction tires if you have them.
He explains that summer tires lose their properties when the temperature rises to 5 plus degrees.
– The winter tires must be put on, as fast as the eye can see. Many people think it’s fine to have summer tires and drive more slowly, but this type of slush gets very slippery.
When there is a large amount of snow in the forest, a lot of game also comes closer to the roads, he says. Hence, it is also important to keep a distance from moving vehicles to avoid hard braking.
– Keep your distance so you have time to brake if something happens, says Bengt Olsson.