Difficult road and weather conditions have caused chaos in southern Sweden, with several car accidents reported on Christmas Eve. The mild weather combined with precipitation has resulted in increasingly slippery road conditions, prompting the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) to issue warnings for icy conditions in almost all of Götaland.
“In the southern parts, it will be difficult Christmas weather,” said Emma Härenstam, a meteorologist at SMHI. She also warned of the possibility of freezing rain, further complicating the road conditions.
Christmas Eve saw a number of car accidents, including a mass crash involving ten vehicles south of Lilla Edet, and a car overturning on the E4 outside Jönköping. The police have reported extremely slippery conditions at both locations and have urged drivers to exercise caution.
Bengt Olsson, the press manager for the Swedish Transport Agency, emphasized the importance of reducing speed and maintaining proper distances on the roads. He advised drivers to keep twice the usual distance from other vehicles to allow for ample reaction time in case of any issues on the road.
While temperatures remain on the negative side further north, a snowfall is expected to hit the Stockholm area, making road conditions even more challenging. The road salt, which typically stops working at temperatures below minus eight degrees, has been rendered ineffective, making the situation even more precarious.
According to Olsson, the Swedish Transport Administration will need to close several train lines on Christmas Day due to strong winds coming from the southwest. Sections of regional tracks in the south and west, including parts of Stångådalsbanan, Råbanan, and Viskadalsbanan, will be affected.
Emma Härenstam also warned of the possibility of storm-strength winds along the west coast and urged people to stay updated on SMHI’s warnings.
As the challenging weather conditions persist, authorities are calling on residents to remain vigilant and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during the holiday season.