A severe and unseasonable storm is forecast to hit southern and western Norway tonight into tomorrow. The storm is expected to bring extreme snowfall and hurricane-force winds, which will cause major transport disruptions and widespread power outages.
The Norwegian Meteorological Institute has issued its highest-level red warning for parts of Vestland and Viken counties for the night of April 20-21. Meteorologist Ingvild Sveinsvoll provided a detailed forecast, stating, 'We are looking at potentially historic snowfall for late April in inland areas, combined with extreme coastal winds.' Up to 50 to 70 centimeters of snow is forecast for higher terrain around the capital city of Oslo.
All domestic flights to and from Bergen Airport Flesland scheduled after 8:00 PM tonight have been canceled. The airport operator, Avinor, is advising all travelers to check their flight statuses before heading to the airport. The Norwegian Public Roads Administration has issued warnings that many mountain passes will be closed, including a major route, the E16 over Filefjell.
The national railway company, Vy, has preemptively canceled several train lines due to the dangerous forecast. The combination of heavy, historic snowfall and powerful winds is creating unprecedented conditions for late April, leading to widespread preparations for significant disruptions across the region.