State meteorologists were once again sending out warnings on Saturday for “full storm” during the night, with the southern coasts of Rogaland and the Agder counties told to brace for the worst. The latest batch of bad weather comes just as Norwegians were poised to wrap up the long Christmas holiday weekend, and the storm may finally bring some snow at lower elevations.
The storm warnings were posted first for both the west coast counties of Rogaland and Hordaland. Officials later expanded the warnings to also include the Agder counties, Telemark and Buskerud, areas still recovering from floods and severe storms throughout the autumn.
State Meteorologist Ida Marie Solbrekke said the weather would be worst of all in Rogaland, with Stavanger residents told to especially batten down the hatches. “The wind is coming from the east (over the mountains), and will hit the hardest in areas susceptible to the strong austavind,” Solbrekke told Norwegian Broadcasting (NRK).
She told residents to expect strong gusts and urged that any loose items around homes and buildings be secured, especially children’s trampolines that may still be out in gardens following the unusually mild autumn. Officials warn that “full storm” often results in trees crashing down on power- and telephone lines, and small buildings can be torn from their foundations.
Winds howling over the mountains were due to contain snow as well, and Stavanger was likely to see blizzard-like weather, too late for Christmas and absolutely not in its most decorative form.
Driving conditions were also expected to be difficult on Sunday, because of the combination of strong winds and snow, Solbrekke told NRK. Temperatures were also due to dip in many areas of southern Norway, after one of the warmest holiday periods on record.
newsinenglish.no staff
