Traffic warnings were up on many mountain roads in southern and central Norway on Saturday. Snow and slippery conditions dominated, just as runners in Oslo were welcoming the spring and skiers thought they’d be saying farewell to winter.
More than 12,000 skiers, including champions like Therese Johaug and Petter Northug, were making the annual trek from Finse to Hallingskarvet in the traditional race known as Skarverennet. It marks the official end of the skiing season and is usually held in spring-like conditions, but skiers faced temperatures as low as minus-10C Saturday morning.
In Oslo, meanwhile, the sun was shining brightly but temperatures were chilly as thousands more runners launched their spring season with the annual race called Sentrumsløpet. State meteorologists warned that clouds may build up later in the weekend, bringing with them rain, hail and thunder.
Residents of central and northern counties from Møre og Romsdal to Troms were also warned that winter would be returning, with snow and more traffic alerts at higher elevations as far south as Oppland and Buskerud.
newsinenglish.no staff
