By JARI TANNER (Associated Press)
HELSINKI (AP) — Finland and Sweden recorded their coldest temperatures of the winter Tuesday when thermometers plummeted as little as minus 40 levels Celsius (minus 40 Fahrenheit) as a chilly spell grips the Nordic area.
Cold and snow disrupted transportation all through the area, together with in Norway the place a serious freeway within the south was closed as a result of climate and ferry strains suspended operations. Swedish prepare operators mentioned the chilly snap induced substantial issues for rail visitors within the Arctic north.
Nikkaluokta, a small village inhabited by indigenous Sami individuals in northern Sweden, recorded a temperature of minus 41.6 levels C (minus 42.8 F) early Tuesday, Swedish public broadcaster SVT reported.
“It’s the coldest temperature we have had so far this winter, and it will continue to be quite cold weather in the north,” SVT meteorologist Nils Holmqvist mentioned.
The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute reported temperatures of minus 30 C (minus 22 F) in a number of areas in northern Sweden, and issued a warning for snow and wind for central and southern Sweden. Its second-highest warning applies from midnight into Wednesday.
In neighboring Finland, this winter’s chilly file was recorded within the northwestern city of Ylivieska the place temperatures fell to minus 37.8 C (minus 36 F) early Tuesday, and forecasters mentioned temperatures could be decrease than minus 40 C in elements of the nation via the week.
Temperatures within the Finnish capital, Helsinki, had been anticipated to hover between minus 15 and minus 20 C (round zero F).
In the southern Norway city of Arendal, officers mentioned faculties could be closed Wednesday as a result of it wasn’t potential to clear the sidewalks in time for kids to get to high school.
Several ferry corporations all through the area canceled crossings, together with these from southern Norway to Denmark the place a key bridge was closed to autos with gentle trailers due to sturdy winds, Danish officers mentioned.
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Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark, contributed to this report.
Source: www.bostonherald.com”