Last week it was Northern- and Central Norway that were clobbered by heavy snow. This week it’s most of Southern Norway, especially the Oslo metropolitan area. Weather forecasters had warned that traffic problems could occur, and that proved to be an understatement.
So much snow fell so quickly, and streets were so slippery, that bus service in and around the Norwegian capital was mostly shut down Monday afternoon. State broadcaster NRK reported how some got caught in roundabouts, while others ground to a halt in snowdrifts. Two main cross-town bus lines were among those not operating during the afternoon commuter rush.
Traffic also stood still on the E6 highway south of Oslo after three large trucks jack-knifed on a slippery downhill near Skullerud and blocked lanes out of town. Several car accidents were reported from Halden in the south to Holmestrand farther north and across the fjord. Another car flipped over in an accident at Skien and more weather-related collisions were reported in Flå, Fetsund, Hølen, Rygge, Drammen and Tønsberg.
The weather also caused major delays for Color Line ferries from Larvik and Kristiansand. State airports agency Avinor also reported flight delays at Norway’s gateway airport, Oslo Gardermoen. State meteorologists initially reported that snow was expected to keep falling all week but then changed their reports, with sun forecast to come out again from Tuesday.
NewsinEnglish.no staff
