During Sunday evening, a snow storm sweeps across the country. SMHI has issued orange and yellow warnings over large parts of the country.
The Swedish Transport Administration went into national staff mode on Saturday and has deployed heavy haulers, plow trucks, track wagons and anti-slip vehicles.
– This means that we muster forces largely throughout the country in order to be on site when the weather strikes, says Bengt Olsson and continues:
– Those who were planning to travel from ski resorts or loved ones who were visited over the New Year, we absolutely advise to go home today instead.
Slippery roads and extreme cold
Snowy weather can pose different risks depending on where in the country you are.
As for the warning area in Central Sweden, snow in combination with strong wind and temperature differences can lead to slippery roads.
– It doesn’t matter how many vehicles we have out to combat slippage, it will be messy on the roads.
In parts of Norrland, temperatures drop to minus 30 degrees and locally it can be even colder.
– If you get stopped by a vehicle along the road or a train along the track, it can be difficult to get out of there. You may not get help for a long time.
MSB in meeting with relevant authorities
The authority for social security and preparedness (MSB) and several other authorities – including the Swedish Transport Agency, SMHI, Swedish Kraft Network and the relevant county administrations – held a “national cooperation conference” on Sunday afternoon, to coordinate measures and resources for the snowstorm.
– It is routine before major events such as orange weather warnings, says Marcus Årskog, press spokesperson at MSB.
SJ and Norrtåg have canceled departures in upper Norrland as a result of the cold, but there may be more canceled trains, according to Bengt Olsson.
During Sunday evening, all train departures during Monday between Gothenburg and Oslo were canceled, the journeys will be replaced by buses.
SJ: Can cancel certain train journeys
SJ travelers who have planned trips within the the orange warning areas will have the opportunity to rebook or cancel their journeys, regardless of ticket category.
– If you feel unsure and have not been reached by the information but feel you should have done so, you can contact SJ’s customer service, says Leila Fogelholm.
SJ’s offer is valid during the time period that the weather warnings are issued.