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Any driving difficulties in August, for mountain roads that are closed in winter?

Hi, has anyone had any driving difficulties in August, for the mountain roads that are normally closed in winter? Specifically, route 55 between Lom and Skjolden? Or the Bjorbavegen "Snow Road" (instead of the tunnel) between Aurlandsvangen and Laerdalsoyri? Or route Fv13 north of Balestrand to Viksdalen? I'm wondering about the chance of freak snow storms or other very nasty weather.

Posted by
6931 posts

The risk of snow storms is never zero, but probably very close to. Nasty weather can occur, but August is not the worst month so I don't think you should be that worried.

Posted by
174 posts

Badger, thanks! I guess my only slight concern would be route 55 between Lom and Skjolden, if the weather is really bad on that day we’d have to do a 4-5 hour detour.

Posted by
6931 posts

I wouldn't be too worried about that. I think the risk of the weather being so nasty that you need to take a different route is very low. Worst case is probably that the drive will take a bit longer.

Just remember that the road is steep, narrow and far from straight. So drive carefully and avoid an automatic transmission if possible.

Posted by
60 posts

Can I please tag on to this question? Same question, different month: route 55 between Lom and Skjolden? Or the Bjorbavegen "Snow Road" (instead of the tunnel) between Aurlandsvangen and Laerdalsoyri? In the first 2 weeks of June—should I be worried about snow? Thank you!

Posted by
11841 posts

avoid an automatic transmission if possible.

I do not understand that comment

I 'drove' a section of hwy 55 between Lom and Skjolden on google ( image capture Nov 2018) and saw only a dusting of snow on the ground. The drive around the north side of Maui looks decidedly more challenging.

No personal experience, just an observation.