The peak of the storm, which has been named Anna, is expected to occur later in the evening and into the night.
"We are in the middle of the most severe storm right now," says Emma Härenstam, meteorologist at SMHI, at 6:30 p.m.
Orange and yellow warnings for snow and wind have been issued for large parts of Svealand and parts of Norrland. The red warning applies to part of Gävleborg, just inland from the coast, where up to half a meter of snow could fall.
The worst warnings are expected to be withdrawn on Friday morning, but a new yellow warning will be issued for the Gävleborg coastal area at that time. Additional snow, up to three decimeters, is expected in the area.
SMHI has included in its red warning that Gävleborg is particularly vulnerable due to the advance of Storm Johannes, not least because trees are already on the verge of falling. Households have previously been urged to stock up as they risk being completely isolated.
Forced to stop work
At 10 p.m. on New Year's Day, approximately 3,500 customers of electricity company Ellevio in Gävleborg were without power. They will be without power for a while longer.
"We have had to stop work for the day, much earlier than planned, due to the intensity of the storm. We cannot put those working in the field at risk," says Ellevio's press manager Jesper Liveröd at 7 p.m.
For a while, during the afternoon, just over 4,000 customers in Gävleborg were without power at the same time. Many have been without power since Saturday.
Ellevio plans to resume work early Friday morning, but restoration work may be delayed.
"The problems are so extensive here that there is a risk it will take several more days," says Liveröd.
A yellow warning for snowfall has also been issued in large parts of central and northern Götaland, until Friday morning.
"Very serious"
The police have urged the public to take the weather warnings seriously as roads may become completely impassable, the telephone network may be knocked out and rescue operations may take a long time in connection with the snowstorm.
The Swedish Transport Administration is urging the public in all affected areas not to venture out into traffic at all. The agency has, among other things, heavy-duty trucks and tracked vehicles on standby.
Trains between Stockholm and Sundsvall have been cancelled until late on Friday. Travel along other routes in the affected areas has also been cancelled. Parts of the Norra stambanan, Ostkustbanan and Ådalsbanan are closed.
SMHI has three levels of weather warnings:
Yellow warning: Consequences for society, some risks to the public.
Orange warning: Serious consequences for society, danger to the public.
Red warning: Very serious consequences for society, great danger to the public.
