Snow chaos in Umeå: "Changed pram to sled"

Several parts of Sweden have had a snowy day, including along the Norrland coast. On Thursday evening, around 100 cars were stuck on the E4 south of Örnsköldsvik, and the authorities have urged people not to go out into traffic unnecessarily.

In Umeå, it has snowed several decimetres in a short time and now the situation is particularly strained, according to the municipality's street operations manager Per Hilmersson.

- It has snowed heavily over the past 24 hours and today the forecast has worsened. We have significantly more precipitation than expected.

Umeå resident Veronica Celinder is used to snow, although it is unusual for so much to fall at once.

- You have to rethink a little, like using the sledge instead of the pram. And to leave the bike standing on a day like this.

During the day, public transport was pulled with several canceled trips in Umeå. When 18-year-old theater student Hannes Olsson Petersson missed his departure, all that remained was to walk through the snowstorm to the lesson in the center.

- It's not that dangerous. My hat also protects very well against the snow, even if you sometimes have to hold onto it because the wind wants to blow it away.

The municipality is now forced to prioritize car roads to ensure that blue light personnel such as the police and ambulance can get there. This takes place at the expense of clearing on, for example, cycle paths and pavements.

At the same time, the snow is wet and heavy, which, among other things, the villa owner Tommy Bäckström experienced when he had to shovel the driveway by hand.

- A necessary evil, but not what you immediately desire. Four days ago I raked the lawn.

- Every season has its allure, but the snow may not have to come as early as November 13, he says and laughs.

According to street operations manager Per Hilmersson, a new weather change with sub-zero temperatures is expected already during Friday night, which risks bringing further worries.

- The snow must be removed and the roads must be leveled before the cold arrives, otherwise there will be deep and rock-hard ruts in the road surface that can damage cars and other vehicles.

All available resources within the municipality, around 50 vehicles, are currently struggling with the snow removal. Although Per Hilmersson is used to planning for extensive snow removal, this type of difficult conditions rarely occur.

- It usually takes a few years between these worst occasions, he says.