Meteorologists have issued yellow weather warnings for heavy snowdrifts across northern Norway this weekend. The alerts cover parts of Finnmark, Nordland, and Trøndelag counties. Mountain areas in southern Norway also face local snowdrift conditions.
Multiple traffic accidents occurred on slippery roads throughout Friday and Saturday. In Sykkylven, Møre og Romsdal, a car left the road and landed in a ditch. The driver sustained minor injuries and received medical checks. Police confirmed slippery conditions at the scene.
Two people were sent to emergency care after a collision on County Road 410 near Hantho in Tvedestrand. Authorities reported the driver lacked a valid license in addition to the challenging road conditions.
Troms county experienced two separate incidents at nearly the same location in Lavangsdalen, Balsfjord. A minibus collided with a snowplow around 2 PM, sending one person to hospital for examination. Eight people were in the minibus, but none suffered serious injuries. Just thirty minutes later, another collision occurred when a car rear-ended another vehicle that had braked suddenly. Three people reported pain and received medical attention.
Road closures are affecting multiple regions. County Road 714 between Gangåsen and Frøya closed Saturday morning south of Våvatnet. Several truck convoys are stopped while recovery operations continue.
Lars Nordås from the Northern Road Traffic Center described the situation in Finnmark. "We have closed roads in Sjurfjellet and toward Nordkapp. There's strong wind and snow reducing visibility. Conditions should improve somewhat during the afternoon," he said in a statement. He advised travelers to check road reports before driving in affected areas.
Meteorologists warn that roads may close with little notice in affected regions. They recommend avoiding unnecessary travel in areas experiencing snowdrifts. The weather warnings remain in effect through Saturday evening for eastern and parts of western Finnmark.
Norwegian winter driving conditions frequently challenge even experienced motorists. The country's extensive network of mountain passes and coastal roads becomes particularly hazardous during sudden weather changes. Road authorities typically implement convoy driving systems when conditions deteriorate severely.
International visitors should note that Norwegian winter driving requires special preparation. Vehicles must have proper winter tires, and drivers should carry emergency supplies. Many rental cars come equipped with studded tires during winter months, but checking road conditions remains essential before any journey.
The frequency of weather-related accidents highlights the importance of heeding official warnings. Norwegian authorities maintain detailed online road condition reports updated throughout the day. These provide real-time information about closures, convoy requirements, and weather challenges.