Norway’s state meteorologists sent out warnings on Monday for an abrupt change in the weather later in the week. Snow and seasonally appropriate cold temperatures are due to be replaced from Wednesday with what the meteorologists called a “tropical rainstorm” expected to pour over most of the west coast.
The low-pressure system won’t only wash away snow but can also set off avalanches and flooding, especially in the regions of Sogn og Fjordane and Møre of Romsdal. Trøndelag and Nordland can also expect lots of heavy and unseasonal rain.
“We’re expecting a serious situation that can cause lots of damage,” Elise Trondsen of the state waterways agencyt NVE. Red alerts are being sent out for avalanche danger from Hardanger in the south to Ofoten in the north. Up to 200mm of rain may fall in Vestlandet, along Norway’s west coast, and it will also rain at high elevations. Temperatures are expected to climb to as high as 10C along the coast, also in Oslo.
Residents were warned to secure outdoor objects, think twice before driving anywhere because of slick roads, and be prepared for flooding. “This is a very unusual situation,” Trondsen told state broadcaster NRK Monday evening, likening the heavy rain to “an atmospheric river” due to saturate much of the country.
newsinenglish.no staff
