Snow warning issued for central Sweden
Many parts of central Sweden are bracing themselves for the first snow of the season, with motorists warned to expect slippery conditions.
Meteorological agency SMHI issued a Class 1 warning on Thursday from Värmland in the west to Uppland in the east and all the way up to Jämtland and Västernorrland.
The Dalarna, Gävleborg and Jämtland regions are expect to receive the heaviest downpour, with meteorologists forecasting 5 to 15 centimetres of snow.
"Unfortunately a lot of people are just as surprised every year," said police spokesman Anders Wallin.
While motorists in the north of the country are seldom caught unawares, their counterparts further south never seem to learn.
"Even if they have gone out in the morning and scraped ice off their windscreens, people are somehow surprised when it's suddenly slippery. That's the unfortunate reality," said Anders Wallin.
He noted that many accidents in October could be prevented by timely preparation.
"Put on the winter tyres in time, not when it's already slippery. If the tyres haven't been used since the spring they'll need to be driven for a good few kilometres before regaining their softness," said Wallin.
He also pointed out the importance of adapting to the prevailing conditions in order to avoid driving off the road.
"People tend to say that 'the accident was caused by icy roads'. But usually it was really caused by excessive speed. Adapt your speed to road conditions and keep your distance more than usual," said Wallin.
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Meteorological agency SMHI issued a Class 1 warning on Thursday from Värmland in the west to Uppland in the east and all the way up to Jämtland and Västernorrland.
The Dalarna, Gävleborg and Jämtland regions are expect to receive the heaviest downpour, with meteorologists forecasting 5 to 15 centimetres of snow.
"Unfortunately a lot of people are just as surprised every year," said police spokesman Anders Wallin.
While motorists in the north of the country are seldom caught unawares, their counterparts further south never seem to learn.
"Even if they have gone out in the morning and scraped ice off their windscreens, people are somehow surprised when it's suddenly slippery. That's the unfortunate reality," said Anders Wallin.
He noted that many accidents in October could be prevented by timely preparation.
"Put on the winter tyres in time, not when it's already slippery. If the tyres haven't been used since the spring they'll need to be driven for a good few kilometres before regaining their softness," said Wallin.
He also pointed out the importance of adapting to the prevailing conditions in order to avoid driving off the road.
"People tend to say that 'the accident was caused by icy roads'. But usually it was really caused by excessive speed. Adapt your speed to road conditions and keep your distance more than usual," said Wallin.
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