Red warning as up to 80cm of snow threatens northern Sweden
Residents around Skellefteå in northern Sweden are being urged to stay off the roads as heavy snowfall threatens to strand vehicles and delay emergency services. Forecasters expect 50–80 centimetres of snow in the affected area.
Sweden’s weather agency, SMHI, has issued a red warning covering the area from 18:00 on Thursday, 12 November, until 23:00 on Friday, 13 November, Swedish time. SVT’s latest reporting confirms the timing and forecast.
The warning covers the coastal region from Skellefteå north towards the county boundary with Norrbotten. Trafikverket, Sweden’s transport administration, says snow and wind are expected to make roads particularly difficult during the evening and night. It urges people in the red warning area to stay home because the risk of becoming stranded is very high.
Red is the highest of SMHI’s three warning levels. Its snowfall guidance warns that emergency services may struggle to reach people and that major public transport delays and cancellations are likely.
Households served by overhead lines should prepare for prolonged power cuts and telecommunications disruption. SMHI also warns people to keep away from fallen electricity cables.
Residents can follow changes to the affected area and timing through SMHI’s warning map.
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