Traffic chaos in the snowstorm – 100 vehicles stuck on the E4
Up to one meter of snow can fall and the Swedish Transport Administration advises against driving in the worst affected areas
Quick Look
- SMHI has issued a red snow warning for the Skellefteå area where up to 80 centimeters, or even one meter, of snow can fall during Thursday and Friday.
- Yellow and orange warnings apply along the Västernorrland coast and in parts of Värmland and Dalarna.
- The Swedish Transport Administration advises against driving in red and orange warning areas after around 100 cars got stuck on the E4 between Bjästa and Docksta.
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Why It Matters
SMHI has issued snow warnings in several Swedish regions ahead of a heavy snowfall event during Thursday and Friday. The most serious warning, red, applies to the Skellefteå area where very large amounts of snow are expected. The Swedish Transport Administration has issued recommendations to avoid driving in the most affected areas due to the risk of stationary vehicles and difficult traffic conditions.
Amounts of snow fall over Sweden during Thursday and until Friday evening. A red warning has been issued in the Skellefteå area. There can be up to 80 centimeters of snow, or even more.
- If it gets bad, it can be up to a meter, says Niklas Einevik, meteorologist at SMHI.
A large area along the Västernorrland coast, from Piteå down to Ljusdal, is affected by yellow snow warnings. An orange warning is also issued in higher terrain between Timrå and Örnsköldsvik. A yellow warning is also issued in parts of Värmland and Dalarna, on the border with Norway.
In the areas that can get the most snow and also wind, SMHI and the Swedish Transport Administration have warned of traffic problems. Large amounts of snow combined with poor visibility have led to calls not to hit the roads at all.
"After the night's heavy snowfall, the traffic situation is still very difficult. Do not go out into the traffic if you are in the red or orange warning area. The risk of very difficult traffic conditions and coming to a standstill is high," the Swedish Transport Agency writes on its website.
There have also been problems. Late on Thursday evening, approximately 100 cars were stuck on the E4 between Bjästa and Docksta in the direction of Sundsvall. Already at 19.30, the first lorry began to have problems getting ahead. Since then it has continued.
In the Swedish Transport Administration's latest update from just before 04.30, it was stated that several trucks are still stationary in the southbound lane. Rescuers have arrived, but it is unclear exactly when the problems can be resolved.
"If possible, avoid the area until recovery and snow removal have been carried out", writes the Swedish Transport Administration.
Even in areas with yellow snow warnings, you should think twice before hitting the roads.
- It is good to expect longer journey times even in the yellow areas. It can be more difficult to get there depending on how much snow has fallen, says Moa Hallberg at SMHI.
Open Questions
- How long will the snowfall last?
- When will the E4 between Bjästa and Docksta be fully passable again?
- What other roads are affected by the snow and wind?
