**Title: Unpredictable Snow Cannons Cause Chaos Across Sweden**
*Published: 2024-01-04 19:34*
On Thursday night, an unexpected deluge of snow wreaked havoc in various regions of Sweden, causing widespread traffic disruptions and unexpected snowfall.
The phenomenon is known as “snow cannons” and can be more challenging for meteorologists to predict than other weather patterns such as low pressure. According to Therese Fougman, a meteorologist at SMHI, the snow cannons require more manual tracking, making them difficult to anticipate.
The narrow, heavy snow flurries caused by snow cannons are often missed by weather radars, making them particularly hard to forecast. Even when meteorologists are aware of an incoming snow cannon, predicting its exact location remains a challenge due to slight variations in wind direction.
The snowfall in Eastern Svealand, along the coast of Småland, Öland, Gotland, and easternmost Blekinge, was attributed to snow cannons, while the snow that resulted in traffic jams on the E22 in Skåne was connected to a passing low-pressure system.
The formation of snow cannons is linked to dry and cold air sweeping over an ice-free sea, capturing large amounts of water vapor, and creating long bands of powerful snow flurries. As the sea ice continues to diminish due to climate change, the occurrence of snow cannons in new locations remains uncertain.
This unpredictable weather pattern has the potential to shift further north if the ice on the Gulf of Bothnia recedes, while the southern regions of Sweden might experience fewer snow cannons due to a warmer climate.
The chaos caused by the snow cannons is a reminder of the unpredictable and varied nature of weather patterns that can impact daily life. The phenomenon underlines the need for continued research and improved forecasting capabilities to better understand and prepare for extreme weather events.
The public is advised to stay updated on local weather forecasts and take necessary precautions to ensure their safety during periods of unexpected weather patterns.
For more information about snow cannons and how they are formed, visit the source provided by Anna Rutgersson, a professor of meteorology at Uppsala University.