Scandinavian countries are being battered by extreme cold and snowstorms, with travel and schools being disrupted. The storms are expected to continue for several days, with temperatures as low as -30 degrees Celsius being forecast. Schools across the region are likely to remain closed for the foreseeable future.
As winter tightens its icy grip, Scandinavian countries like Finland and Sweden are facing the coldest temperatures of the season. Thermometers in some places have dropped below a bone-chilling -40 degrees Celsius on Tuesday and Wednesday, causing transportation disruptions.
In northern Sweden’s village of Nikkaluokta, inhabited by the indigenous Sami people, temperatures hit a staggering -41.6 degrees Celsius on Tuesday. Meteorologists say this is the coldest temperature so far this winter, and it’s expected to remain frigid in the north. In Kvikkjokk-Årrenjarka, in Swedish Lapland, the mercury plummeted to -43.6 degrees Celsius on Wednesday. Moreover, it was the lowest January temperature recorded in Sweden in 25 years.
The extreme cold has led to transportation woes in Finland, Sweden, and Norway. The thick snow has made rail travel difficult, and ferry lines were suspended. However, in Norway, a major highway in the south was closed, and ferry services halted.
The freezing temperatures come after a warmer-than-average autumn in much of Europe, with 2023 being the warmest year on record. Experts attribute this to global warming and climate change, as carbon dioxide concentrations in the atmosphere reach levels not seen in at least 2 million years.
Storm Henk
As Scandinavia battles the cold, storm Henk is wreaking havoc in western Europe. In the UK, a driver tragically lost his life when a tree fell on his car during the storm. Widespread disruptions, including power cuts, property damage, and transport delays, have been reported. Moreover, over 300 flood warnings were issued in England and Wales, with 10,000 homes still without power.
In the Netherlands, a 75-year-old man fell off his bicycle and lost his life in strong winds near Eindhoven. The region is grappling with high winds causing damage across the country.
in addition, as the cold spell persists, authorities urge caution and preparedness, with schools closing, and some train and ferry services suspended. In Denmark, police advise drivers to avoid unnecessary trips due to hazardous conditions caused by snow and wind in the northern and western parts of the country.
