Norway's first lowland snowfall of the season arrived Sunday, bringing winter conditions weeks earlier than usual. Meteorologists confirmed the system would continue through Monday morning, affecting multiple regions across the country.
The national meteorological service issued four yellow weather warnings covering mountain areas in Southern Norway, coastal Finnmark, Vestland county, and Trøndelag. A west wind pushing across Norway will deliver precipitation that turns to snow as temperatures drop overnight.
State meteorologist Rebecca Roggentin explained the developing situation. 'The snow line will drop throughout Sunday evening,' she said. 'Rain will transition to sleet and snow overnight and continue into Monday morning.'
Accumulations could reach 5-15 centimeters in Vestland and 5-25 centimeters in northwestern regions, with inland areas expected to receive the heaviest amounts. The meteorologist described the system as shower-based weather, creating potential for significant local variations in snowfall.
When asked about specific cities, Roggentin identified Bergen as particularly vulnerable. 'People in Bergen waking up Monday morning may find snow throughout the city,' she noted. This marks what appears to be the season's first proper snow shower for lowland areas.
Transport authorities immediately responded to the weather warnings. Traffic operators across affected regions confirmed they were preparing for challenging conditions from Sunday afternoon through Monday morning.
'Now is definitely the time for winter tires,' said Vestland traffic operator Arne Viken. He warned that roads around the fjords had already become slippery in places.
Viken recommended all drivers allow extra travel time and maintain greater following distances. Similar preparations were underway in Trøndelag, where crews worked through Sunday to manage expected snow-related challenges.
The early snowfall comes as many Norwegians haven't yet completed their seasonal preparations. While mountain areas typically see snow earlier, lowland accumulation in major population centers this early often catches residents off guard. The weather system demonstrates how quickly conditions can transition from autumn to winter in Norway, particularly in coastal regions where milder temperatures usually persist longer.
Transportation officials emphasized that even minimal snow accumulation can create hazardous driving conditions when combined with near-freezing temperatures. Many Norwegian drivers traditionally wait until November to install winter tires, but this early weather system may prompt earlier vehicle preparations across affected regions.