Unseasonal rain that hit frozen roads during the night made for extremely difficult and dangerous driving conditions in wide areas of southeastern Norway on Tuesday morning, especially in the Oslo area. Police were warning motorists to drive slowly, while highway crews were doing what they could to melt the ice.
Some drivers described the roads as “slippery as soap” and “like an ice skating rink.” Norwegians call the condition underkjølt regn (rain that freezes on contact with the ground) and it was also delaying bus service during the height of the morning commuter rush.
Police said conditions were worst in Romerike and Asker og Bærum. Hurum, other portions of Buskerud County and eastern Akershus and Østfold counties were affected as well, with state broadcaster NRK also reporting problems in Oppland County.
Mette Brunes, traffic operator for the state highway department, said all available crews were out salting the roads to melt the ice. The glaze of ice was also expected to melt later in the day, when temperatures were due to rise.
newsinenglish.no staff
