Gothenburg Braces for Prolonged Cold Snap, Rain Possible Next Weekend

Gothenburg is experiencing a prolonged period of cold weather that shows no immediate signs of ending. Christopher Greenland, a meteorologist at Sweden’s Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), noted that this is one of the longest stretches of cold temperatures he has encountered in recent memory. “It’s been a long time since I experienced such a prolonged cold period,” he said. The cold will persist through the coming week, with sub-zero temperatures expected to continue. On Monday, temperatures are forecast to range between zero and minus four degrees Celsius. Wind conditions may make it feel even colder, particularly during nighttime hours. Greenland explained that clear skies at night allow more heat radiation to escape into space, which leads to lower temperatures near the ground. When clouds are present, they reflect some of that radiation back toward the surface, helping to moderate the lowest temperatures. This cloud cover acts as a kind of insulating layer, preventing extreme drops in temperature. For residents weary of the freezing conditions, there is a potential change on the horizon. According to SMHI, rain could arrive by next weekend, which would mark a shift away from the current cold spell. Until then, below-freezing temperatures will remain the norm. As Greenland summarized, “It’s still cold weather with minus degrees—that’s what applies for the week ahead.”