2024 has started on the colder side in northern Europe (northern Sweden/Finland/Norway). Today has been a cold day and the temperature has been below -30°C over large areas. Many places have even seen the temperature drop below -40°.
So if anyone is in or is heading to the area, stay safe, dress well and don't take any risks.
Thanks for the update badger! Kind of glad I'm in Barcelona now, I think tomorrow it might even get up to 20°. I think in the back of my head I'm kind of dreading returning to Sweden next week 😭. Has it been snowing in southern Sweden? I know that there was a bit of a warm spell the week I left before Christmas that kind of melted most of the snow.
I was actually planning on visiting Kiruna for the northern lights later in January.
There is some talk about the 'Troll from Trondheim" reaching the UK, to replace our wind and rain with cold and settled weather- nothing like this cold though.
Time will tell.
Our press enjoy inventing silly names like this.
Thanks for the update, Badger. I had thought about going to Copenhagen for my birthday in a couple of weeks, imagining sweet walks in the snow and warming up in cozy cafès....then I remembered my trip this time last year to Amsterdam and got rid of that idea.
It's apparently supposed to get pretty cold here next week -- but of course only relative to hear, nothing like what you all are having !! Thinking of you all and hoping everyone has a space inside to stay warm and safe.
Yikes!! For those of us not conversant in Celsius....
-30C = -22F
-40C = -40F so this is where they converge
I've been to Yellowstone in -35 degree temps and that cold is so dangerous. Cover all exposed skin.
Good luck Badger and Carlos!
Hopefully Carlos will bring the warm Barcelona air back with him to Sweden.
I really hope Carlos will leave the warm air in Barcelona. We've had a lovely winter day today, it's been around 5-10°C below zero and there has been a light snowfall for most of the day. It's a pity I can't post photos because it is just so beautiful with all the snow covered trees. Perfect weather for "sweet walks in the snow and warming up in cozy cafès". No offence Amsterdam, but it's not really the place to visit for great winter weather.
And it seems like the winter weather has returned to Skövde as well, according to SMHI there is 10 cm snow there and around -5°C. But further north has been really cold today, e.g. all passenger trains north of Umeå has been cancelled due to the weather. Visiting Kiruna for the northern lights is something I can really recommend! Usually the temperatures are more reasonable, but today Nikkaloukta just outside Kiruna was the coldest place in Sweden with -42.5°C. So if anyone on the forum is up there, dress warm!
The cold weather has been displaced this year from North America, where winter is only just beginning, to Europe. Enjoy.
They can keep it:) I'm loving almost no snow and temps mostly above 30 degrees F.
Thanks for the reminder Badger that the weather can get really cold in northern Europe. People should be prepared for the worst conditions.
And the cold weather continues, yesterday's record was beaten today when Kvikkjokk had -43,5°C this morning.
Maybe you don't need to prepare for the worst, but it's important keep an eye on the weather forecast and be prepared to change your plans if needed.
How are the electric car batteries performing at those temps? ( or are the tires so brittle you cannot drive?)
I have no general data. But an acquaintance of mine drove from Gällivare to Umeå (ca 500 km) yesterday in their electric car without any problems. Although it was "only" -37°C when they started.
