Sweden warned as winter storm approaches

Storm Alexander is approaching southern Sweden with the national weather agency issuing a series of warnings. Train traffic in southern Sweden is planned to be cut off on Friday afternoon.

Published: 12 December 2014 07:08 CET

Sweden warned as winter storm approaches

Locals in Malmö brace themselves for the arrival of storm Alexander. Photo: Johan Nilsson/TT

Weather agency SMHI has predicted winds of up to 25 metres per second, and issued a class two warning for much of southern Sweden.

The storm – named Alexander – is expected to hit on Friday afternoon.

Rail operator SJ has warned that the storms will affect the train lines in Småland. It announced on its home page that some train lines would be shut down from 3pm on Friday – not to be reopened until Saturday.

The storm is expected to whip up the water levels in coastal towns such as Halland, where authorities have put up a 300-metre long wall of containers in an effort to stop the harbour flooding over.

Back in 2005, a storm in the area was so severe that 300 million kronor ($39.8 million) worth of imported cars was destroyed by flooding.

SMHI has issued the class 2 warnings – the second highest warning on the agency's scale – in Gotland and Öland as well.

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