The orange warnings apply to northwestern and southwestern Svealand, as well as Dalsland. Strong winds and significant snowfall are expected on Epiphany.
It may come to a total of three, four decimeters, and then it will drift. It will be troublesome, says Kjell Lund, meteorologist at SMHI.
Yellow warnings were issued for large parts of Sweden, from eastern and western Götaland to southern Norrland.
Later in the day, the warnings for southern Sweden ceased to apply. In Götaland and southern Svealand, the snowfall turned into rain, slush, and plus degrees.
-30 degrees Celsius
In northern Norrland, no warnings were issued, but it is very cold – around -30 degrees Celsius locally.
The Swedish Transport Administration has already gone into national emergency mode. According to Peter Jonsson, press communicator at the agency, the preparedness is "very good".
We have taken precautions in all regions, especially where we have warnings – where we fear we will have the most to do, he says.
It is mainly about snow removal and anti-icing. Even so-called heavy-duty tow trucks, which can tow trucks, and snowplows are placed at strategic locations.
Our recommendation is that if you don't need to, you shouldn't venture out into traffic, says Jonsson.
If you do venture out on the roads, you should be aware that the weather can change very locally. Check the Swedish Transport Administration's maps for the route you will be taking and follow SMHI, advises Jonsson.
Peter Jonsson says that several accidents have occurred during the afternoon, mainly in areas around Lake Vänern and Lake Vättern.
We have received ten to twelve reports of accidents.
Trains cancelled
The accident that had the greatest impact on traffic occurred on the E4 north of Huskvarna. A truck drove into the median and became stuck. The traffic was closed on the affected section while the truck was being towed. The E4 is expected to reopen on Monday evening.
The truck driver was not injured in the accident.
The train traffic is also affected by the cold and bad weather. For example, departures between Kiruna and Luleå have been cancelled, as well as on the Gothenburg-Oslo route. From tonight, some routes in western Sweden will be cancelled.
The Swedish Transport Administration advises travelers to check with their train operator which departures are cancelled.
Several SAS flights between Gothenburg and Stockholm have been cancelled due to the weather, reports Aftonbladet. Other flights, both domestic and international, are delayed or cancelled.
SMHI has three levels of weather warnings:
Yellow warning: Consequences for society, some risks for the general public.
Orange warning: Serious consequences for society, danger for the general public.
Red warning: Very serious consequences for society, great danger for the general public.
