Southern Norway is bracing for severe weather conditions, as meteorologists issue warnings for heavy snowfall set to hit the region starting Monday. According to Håkon Mjelstad, the meteorologist on duty at the Meteorologisk Institutt, the impending storm will bring significantly more snow than initially expected, prompting the shift from yellow to orange level advisories. "It will be so much snow, this is no longer yellow level, so then we are on to orange warning," Mjelstad stated, emphasizing the seriousness of the situation.
The weather forecast predicts snowfall amounts between 30 to 40 centimeters across various regions, particularly from Mandal through Vestfold. Residents are being advised to prepare for closed roads and to factor extra time for travel. "Be prepared for closed roads, and calculate extra time for transport and driving," Mjelstad warned.
The first flurries are expected as early as Sunday, serving as a precursor to the heavier snow anticipated for Monday. "It's just a little teaser for what is coming on Monday. A low-pressure system will be arriving with northeastern winds and moisture," Mjelstad explained. The warning extends to southeastern Buskerud and areas west of the Oslofjord, meaning much of the Southern and Eastern Norway will be affected.
With heavy snow on the horizon, past experiences are weighing heavily on the minds of local emergency services and residents alike. A year ago, havoc ensued when Agder and Telemark were blanketed by similar heavy snowfall, which left roads impassable, trains halted, and schools closed. Many residents were trapped indoors, forced to use windows to escape their homes following the storm’s ferocity. "We are ready to take what may come, but it is challenging when the warning varies," remarked Rolf Ove Lunden, the operations leader for county roads in Agder, reflecting on the preparations being made this time around.
Local authorities across the region have been making arrangements once again to mitigate the impacts of the storm, anticipating road closures, power supply disruptions due to heavy snow accumulating on trees, and overall service interruptions. Public transport is already feeling the strain, with announcements of potential delays and alterations to schedules. A full service disruption was reported on Bergen's Bybanen due to the snow, with temporary bus services being deployed. Alternatively, snow clearing on the runway has caused delays at Flesland Airport as well.
Frustration is spreading among local residents who rely on home healthcare services. Sharon Saldivar, who works with the services sector, expressed her concerns about travel times increasing dramatically due to snowfall. "It takes me 30 minutes to reach patients now, where it usually takes only 10 minutes. We have been receiving many calls from anxious families wondering if the service will arrive at all," she said. Her colleague, Solveig Hodneland, urged people to check on neighbors, highlighting the ripple effects of the complications caused by severe weather on community health services.
While some areas are preparing for closure and isolation, others like Nordvestlandet are reporting increasing avalanche risks, with several areas already isolatd due to landslides and snow risk. Municipalities like Askøy have reached out to the public, encouraging residents to allow emergency vehicles to park close to homes, stating, "If it is impossible for us to get to houses, be generous and let us park awkwardly for a little bit.” This communal spirit embodies the resilience of the region as it prepares for the upcoming storm.
Emergency responders and local governments are urging everyone to have emergency plans ready, storing supplies and being extra cautious when traveling. While there are hopes for successful road clearing operations, the history of last year’s snow chaos lingers, reminding everyone of the potential dangers of heavy snowfalls. The local road management agencies are set to enact their plans as conditions evolve over the coming days, actively monitoring weather changes and snow depth.
Looking back to last year, when heavy snow rates peaked at 30 centimeters per hour, authorities are bracing for the possibility of chaos should conditions worsen unexpectedly. Residents are encouraged to avoid unnecessary trips and keep vehicles out of central areas to assist road clearing efforts. Rolf Ove Lunden assured, "We will clear roads and make them as accessible as possible, but we must be ready for the unexpected."
With the storm approaching, anticipation is palpable as communities rally together to weather whatever challenges lie ahead, demonstrating resilience when faced with nature's fury.