Latest: Tromsø Airport has reopened, reports Nordlys.
– We had to close for a period. There is icing and strong crosswinds. It is challenging, says airport director Ivar Helsing Schrøen to the newspaper.
The communications manager at Widerøe, Catharina Solli, told TV 2 Thursday morning that the wind was causing problems.
– The wind caused problems last night so we had to fly over Leknes and drop off passengers in Svolvær. Therefore, the morning flight to Bodø was canceled today, she said.
– Now the wind is raging in the northernmost parts of the country, she continued.
There are also problems in Lofoten, explains press officer Lina Lindagaard Carlsen.
– It is simply the strong and unstable wind that is causing us problems. We are doing what we can to find good solutions. We are arranging ground transport where it is most appropriate. We are rebooking passengers to other departures, she tells Lofotposten.
– We understand that it is very frustrating, but we cannot do anything about the weather. And we are working hard now to find good solutions, she continued.
Ferries Cancelled
Nordlys also reports that ferries in the Tromsø area are cancelled.
The ferry connection between Hansnes – Karlsøy - Vannøy is cancelled until further notice due to bad weather. The same applies to Storstein-Nikkeby-Lauksundskaret. The MF Tenna will not operate until the wind calms down, the newspaper writes.
There is a yellow warning for strong gusts of wind in Troms and West Finnmark.
– From Wednesday evening to Thursday afternoon, locally strong gusts of wind of 30-33 m/s from the west are expected. On the coast, a small storm is expected with the possibility of a full storm. The wind will increase first in the south and decrease last in the north, according to Yr’s website.
The warning is valid until 4:00 PM.
There is also a yellow warning for snow in the same areas, in addition to Nordland.
– From Wednesday evening to Friday morning, a lot of snow is expected. Locally, 20-30cm of snow could fall within a day. The most vulnerable areas are above 200m above sea level and in the inner regions. The most snow is expected the night before Thursday.
Possible Full Storm
There could be gusts of wind of 30–33 meters per second locally in parts of Troms and West Finnmark.
– On the coast, a small storm is expected with the possibility of a full storm. The wind will increase first in the south and decrease last in the north, according to the warning on Yr.
The risk of gusts of wind will decrease Thursday afternoon, but the bad weather is not over.
In the past few days, there has been a lot of snow in several places in the counties in the north. On Friday, milder weather is coming, which will bring rain and snowmelt, leading to a risk of flooding in Nordland and South Troms.
Risk of Flooding and Landslides
Water flow will increase rapidly in streams and rivers. This could lead to floods and erosion damage, according to meteorologists.
Significant water flow and water levels for the season are expected. The water flow is expected to gradually decrease overnight into Saturday.
Snowmelt will also increase the risk of landslides and floods from Friday morning.
Along the coast of Troms and Finnmark, high water levels at the same time could lead to floods and damage to buildings in the coastal areas.
In parts of Northern Norway, waves around ten meters might occur on Thursday, state meteorologists.
What severe weather conditions are currently affecting transport in Northern Norway?
Interview: Severe Weather Challenges Transport in Northern Norway
Interviewer (Time.news Editor): Good afternoon, everyone. Today, we have with us Lina Lindagaard Carlsen, a press officer from Widerøe, and Ivar Helsing Schrøen, the director of Tromsø Airport. We’re discussing the severe weather conditions impacting transportation in Northern Norway. Thank you both for joining us!
Lina Lindagaard Carlsen: Thank you for having us!
Ivar Helsing Schrøen: It’s a pleasure to be here.
Editor: Let’s dive right in. Ivar, can you explain the current situation at Tromsø Airport and why it had to close temporarily?
Ivar Helsing Schrøen: Of course. We had to temporarily close the airport due to significant icing and strong crosswinds. These weather conditions made it extremely challenging for aircraft to land and take off safely. Safety is our top priority, so we decided to suspend operations until the weather improved.
Editor: That sounds tough. Lina, how have these weather conditions affected Widerøe’s operations?
Lina Lindagaard Carlsen: We’ve faced considerable disruptions. Just last night, the strong winds forced us to reroute a flight intended for Bodø, and passengers had to disembark in Svolvær instead. This morning, we had to cancel the Bodø flight altogether due to continued severe weather. It’s frustrating, both for us and for the passengers affected.
Editor: What measures are being taken to address these challenges?
Lina Lindagaard Carlsen: We’re working diligently to find solutions. We’re rebooking passengers on alternative flights and arranging ground transportation where feasible. I want to emphasize that we fully understand the frustration of our passengers, but weather conditions are beyond our control. We are doing everything we can to minimize disruptions.
Editor: Ivar, can you shed some light on the warnings issued for this region? How do you assess the current risks?
Ivar Helsing Schrøen: We’ve got a yellow warning in place for strong gusts of wind with speeds expected to reach up to 30-33 m/s, along with potential snow accumulation of 20-30 cm over the next few days. This could lead to further complications, not only for airport operations but also for ground travel and ferry services in the area, as we’ve seen already.
Editor: Talking about ferries, Lina, could you tell us about the current ferry cancellations and the impact on travelers?
Lina Lindagaard Carlsen: Yes, several ferry routes have been canceled, including the connection between Hansnes, Karlsøy, and Vannøy, as well as the Storstein-Nikkeby-Lauksundskaret line. The MF Tenna is also not operating until weather conditions improve. These cancellations add another layer of complexity to travel in the region, and we’re continuously monitoring the situation and collaborating with local transport services.
Editor: With all these challenges, what advice do you have for travelers planning to visit Northern Norway during this season?
Ivar Helsing Schrøen: Travelers should stay informed and flexible. Keep a close eye on weather updates and potential flight or ferry cancellations. Always check with transport providers for the latest information and consider alternative travel plans if conditions are severe.
Lina Lindagaard Carlsen: Absolutely. Planning ahead and staying in touch with your airline or ferry operator can make a significant difference. Our teams are here to assist passengers however we can, and we appreciate their understanding and patience during these tough weather conditions.
Editor: Thank you, Lina and Ivar, for your insights and updates on this pressing situation. We hope that the weather improves soon so that travel can resume smoothly for everyone in Northern Norway.
Ivar Helsing Schrøen: Thank you for having us.
Lina Lindagaard Carlsen: Yes, thank you! Let’s hope for calmer skies ahead.