The Meteorological Institute has registered around 400 lightning strikes in the areas around Harstad, Andøya and Senja in Troms this morning. On-duty state meteorologist Marek Ratajczak says there has been an unusual amount of thunder to be in Troms – It is not very often that lightning strikes so closely here in Troms. The reason for the many lightning strikes is a sharp separation between two air masses, explains the meteorologist. – In the last few days we have had quite warm and humid air, while now colder air is coming in from the sea from the south-west. It is precisely in that division that there will be a bit of extra weather with sometimes heavy rain showers, gusts of wind and lightning. Photo: Screen dump, Meteorologists Several hundred households without power The many lightning strikes lead to major disruptions in the power grid. In Harstad alone, over 550 customers are without electricity at the moment. Grid director Ida Prytz at Hålogaland Kraft Nett tells Harstad Tidende that they are working hard to get the customers’ electricity back. – But it is uncertain how long it will take before everyone has the power restored, Prytz tells the newspaper. So far, no damage other than power outages has been reported. On the Tjeldsund Bridge in Troms, at one point on Monday morning, a wind speed of 28 meters per second was measured. Photo: Statens Vegvesen – Stay indoors The meteorologist has a clear call for people in areas with a lot of lightning strikes to stay indoors. – It is wise to stay inside. If you are out driving a car, you should at least not get out of the car. The safest thing is to stay in the car. In addition, one should avoid staying in the mountains or in completely open landscapes. It is also not a good idea to go out to sea now. What should you do when there is lightning? Photo: duane / flickr Seek shelter indoors if possible. Unplug electrical appliances, TV cables, telephone and broadband cables. Stay away from windows, open doors and metal structures. Stay in the car if you are out driving. You sit safely there. Avoid refueling a car or boat. Avoid staying in a small boat. If you are swimming, you should get ashore as soon as possible. Avoid mountain and hilltops, as well as open plains. Stay away from tall single trees. If there are no buildings nearby, seek protection in a cave, ditch or depression in the terrain, or lie down on the ground. In addition, a yellow danger warning for gusts of wind has been issued. From the night to Tuesday, a slight storm and locally strong gusts of 27–30 m/s are expected from the southwest to the west. The warning applies to parts of Troms, and in outer areas of Finnmark. The wind will increase first in the south, and decrease last on the coast of Finnmark. People are advised to secure loose objects and avoid traffic in exposed areas. news is informed that the fast route ship “Polarlys” was unable to dock at Finnsnes due to strong winds. The ship had to go on to Tromsø. But according to the meteorologist, there is still more stable weather ahead. – The weather conditions gradually die out when it comes out towards the cold sea. A front is passing through Troms right now. When the front has passed, there will be a bit more autumnal weather.
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– Stay indoors – news Troms and Finnmark
