The villages of Tromvika and Grøtfjord on Kvaløya in Tromsø have been cut off from the rest of the world since the night of Tuesday due to landslides. Tromvik was the last of the landslide-prone villages that was still isolated, after two days of landslides and snowslides that have hit Nordland, Troms and Finnmark. On Wednesday afternoon at 16.30 the road opened. In total, several thousand inhabitants have at times been either completely or partially isolated since the night of Tuesday. Now the danger of avalanches increases significantly in Eastern Finnmark and two polar low pressures hit the coast of Troms and Finnmark. Due to stormy weather, MS “Kong Harald” cancels the calls between Tromsø and Kirkenes on northbound sailings – and Kirkenes and Hammerfest on southbound sailings – from 11 December to 13 December. MS “Midnattsol” cancels the calls at Skjervøy and Øksfjord on the northbound sailing on 11 and 12 December 2024. The ship plans to be back on route from Hammerfest on 12 December. Heavy snowfall in Tromsø leads to flight delays and several flights from Finnmark have been cancelled. Closed roads A red danger warning has been issued for avalanches in Eastern Finnmark and the mountain passes Bjørnefjell in Nordland, Kvænangsfjellet in Troms and Ifjordfjellet in Finnmark are temporarily closed. Driving conditions are difficult in large parts of northern Norway. In the south, there are icy roads and rainy weather, which makes it very slippery. In the north there is snow and poor visibility. You have to count on closed roads and lorries stuck along the road. Keep up to date on news’s traffic channel and on the Norwegian Road Administration’s website 175.no. Two landslides triggered on the night of Tuesday closed the fishing village of Tromvik from the rest of the world. A landslide on the heath towards the Grøtfjord reached the county road, and in consultation with geologists, road operator Mesta closed the county road. An avalanche went further into the fjord later on Tuesday, and the continued danger of avalanches and work to clear the avalanche areas mean that the road can only be opened on Wednesday afternoon. Several rural communities, in addition to Tromvik, have been isolated along the coast of northern Norway for the past 24 hours. On Wednesday morning, E6 was closed over Kvænangsfjellet after the storm hit Nord-Troms. It is now open, but may be closed at short notice. There is a snow front and poor visibility on the E6 over Gratangsfjellet. Column driving may be introduced. All isolated rural areas have been re-opened, according to the Road Traffic Centre. At 15.30, the warning for significant avalanche danger – level three – for northern Nordland, Troms and Finnmark was extended until Thursday. Reporter Tove Jensen talks to tourists in the avalanche area on Kvaløya on Wednesday afternoon. Reporter Tove Jensen talks to tourists in the avalanche area on Kvaløya. Polar low pressure turns north It is announced that two polar low pressures will hit the coast of northern Norway on Wednesday. – The low pressure is expected to hit the coast of Finnmark on Wednesday evening. The strongest wind is expected to be northerly or north-westerly full gale 25 m/s west of the low pressure, there may be short-term strong gale 30. The wind decreases early Thursday morning. There is great uncertainty about where the low pressure will move, writes Barentswatch. Polar low pressure Photo: From yr.no/kart Small, intense low pressures that occur north of the polar front over sea areas in the winter season. Formation: Associated with outbreaks of cold air from ice-covered areas in the Arctic, often with winds from a westerly to north-easterly direction. Characteristics: Diameter: 200–500 km. Strong wind with rapid increases and wind turns. Can have an “eye” in the center with dry and clear weather. Weather conditions: Strong wind; average maximum wind of 22.1 m/s (small storm), with some cases up to 36 m/s (hurricane). Dense snowfall with a snow front and very reduced visibility, often below 100 metres. Duration: Usually from a few hours to a day, but in some cases can last longer. Occurrence: Most common in the Norwegian Sea, the Barents Sea and the Greenland Sea, especially between January and March. Danger: Rapid development and short warning time make them dangerous for shipping and aviation. Did you know? Polar low pressures can have an “eye” in the centre, similar to tropical cyclones, but are smaller in extent and intensity. Source: Meteorological Institute/Met.no Red danger warning for Finnmark A danger warning for avalanches has been issued in Eastern Finnmark at red level and danger level four. Which means that there is a great danger of avalanches, and that avalanches can hit avalanche-prone roads and buildings. Photo: Metrological Institute – There is not much steep terrain in Eastern Finnmark. But where it is steep enough and there is enough snow, landslides can become large. Which overall can be quite powerful, says Solveig Kosberg to news. She is the duty manager for the avalanche warning at NVE. The background for the danger warning is the polar low pressure that awaits in Finnmark during Wednesday and Thursday. The storm affects traffic in Finnmark Convoyed roads Fv 888 Bekkarfjord-Hopseidet Roads closed Fv. 98 Ifjordfjellet E6 Kvænangsfjellet in Troms E69 Skarsvåg-Nordkapp The storm affects traffic in Troms Speedboats cancelled: Speedboat Tromsø – Skjervøy is cancelled. No fast boat to Engenes on Wednesday afternoon. Hurtigruten has sought shelter in Harstad, according to Harstad Tidende. Power outage: 100 electricity customers in Tjeldsund municipality are without power reported, Noranett. Closed roads: Fv. 7768 Grøtfjorden on Kvaløya closed by two landslides. E6 Kvænangsfjellet in Nordreisa/Kvænangen closed due to storms. Several road sections in Finnmark with convoys The Swedish Road Administration reports that several exposed sections in Finnmark are convoyed due to difficult driving conditions and snow drifts. This applies to county roads 890 Kongsfjordfjellet, 891 Båtsfjordfjellet and 888 between Bekkarfjord and Hopseidet. Photo: Norwegian Road Administration The Norwegian Road Administration asks large vehicles to use chains on these stretches. E69 between Skarsvåg and Nordkapp is closed due to storms. Published 11.12.2024, at 11.53 Updated 11.12.2024, at 16.55
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Several villages still isolated – now polar low pressure is coming – news Troms and Finnmark
