An unprecedented change in weather has plunged Finland and Sweden into the depths of winter, with temperatures reaching a bone-chilling -40 degrees Celsius, the lowest on record this season.
As reported by the Associated Press, the arctic blast wreaked havoc on transport networks across Northern Europe, disrupting normalcy in Norway, closing major roads in the south and suspending ferry services. This has become a severe indicator of severe weather conditions. Swedish train operators are dealing with major disruptions due to unrelenting cold north of the Arctic Circle.
The small indigenous Sami village of Nikkarokta in northern Sweden recorded its lowest winter temperature of the winter, recording an astonishing -41.6 degrees Celsius early Tuesday morning. “Temperatures are the coldest so far this winter, and the north will continue to be bitterly cold,” SVT meteorologist Nils Holmqvist said.
The Swedish Institute of Meteorology and Hydrology has issued a snow and wind warning for south-central Sweden, with temperatures dropping to -30C in parts of northern Sweden. The second-highest warning, which is in effect until Wednesday, highlights the severity of the ongoing cold snap.
In neighboring Finland, the northwestern town of Ilibieska experienced its lowest winter temperature, with temperatures dropping to -37.8 degrees Celsius. Forecasters predict temperatures will drop below -40C in some parts of the country throughout this week, posing challenges for residents and authorities alike.
As winter continues its onslaught, temperatures are expected to drop between -15C and -20C in Finland’s capital Helsinki. Meanwhile, in the southern Norwegian town of Arendal, schools have been closed because sidewalks could not be cleared quickly, leaving children stranded in icy conditions.
Ferry companies in the region faced disruption, with numerous cancellations reported. In Denmark, major bridges were closed to light trailers due to strong winds, exacerbating the challenges posed by an unrelenting cold front. The Nordic countries are facing an extreme winter and are navigating a landscape transformed by plummeting temperatures and icy conditions.
[With information sourced from AP]