Title: Blizzard Batters Røst; Airport, Schools Closed; Snowbreaker Surenders
Bodø, Norway – A relentless snowstorm and powerful winds have battered the remote island community of Røst, leading local authorities to urge residents to stay indoors. The island’s airport is closed, along with schools and kindergartens, as virtually zero visibility and narrow roads make travel treacherous.
"It’s absolute hell out there, with zero visibility," said Røst’s mayor, Elisabeth K. Mikalsen, in an interview with NRK. "We’ve sent out an urgent message to our residents to stay indoors until this blows over."
Even the island’s snow-clearing snowbreaker has thrown in the towel, unable to combat the harsh conditions. "The snowbreaker tried its best, but with zero visibility and narrow roads, it wasn’t safe," Mikalsen added.
Weather forecasts from YR.no predict a lighter storm for the North-West, specifically targeting Røst.
Caught Off Guard
While essential services like healthcare and eldercare are maintaining operations as best as they can, the storm’s sudden onset has caught authorities off guard.
"The biggest challenge will be if someone falls ill today," said Røst’s mayor. "But we have a doctor on the island, so we’ll just have to send out the snowbreaker to fetch him."
Mikalsen expressed surprise at the storm’s intensity, citing earlier predictions suggesting a quieter day.
"What’s most unusual is that we’ve had days of calm weather, and today was supposed to be fairly still. Someone clearly got their weather predictions wrong," she said.
Røst, an island community at the farthest reaches of Lofoten, faces an unprecedented challenge. Photo: Statens vegvesen
Bodø Airport Temporarily Closed
The storm also hit Bodø, causing the airport to close temporarily due to wind and snow. Avinor’s press contact, Ylva Celius Truslen, confirmed that the runway was closed at 11:06 AM and was expected to reopen at 12:45 PM. A Widerøe flight from Tromsø landed at 12:44 PM, indicating that conditions had improved.
Strong winds in Bodø prevent Widerøe planes from landing at Bodø Airport. Photo: Kai Jæger Kristoffersen / NRK
Polar Low on the Way
While Røst grapples with the current storm, a polar low is set to hit Mid-Norway, promising swift changes in weather, particularly in wind strength and direction. The exact trajectory and impact of the low remain uncertain, but it’s expected to make landfall along the coasts of Trøndelag and Møre og Romsdal on Thursday evening, accompanied by heavy snow showers.
Publishing Date: 02.01.2025, 10:11
Last Updated: 02.01.2025, 12:45
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