Storms rage north to south

Storms rage north to south... The high winds were creating chill factors of
down to minus-50C.

While residents of northern Norway were battening down the hatches in the
face of hurricane-force winds, thousands at the southern tip of the country
were without power after heavy snowfall.

A sudden dump of snow over the past few days has cut power lines, and around
3,000 households in Agder were without power on Wednesday. Crews worked to
repair the damage, but by Thursday morning, more problems were being
reported.

"The weather conditions are leading to a steady stream of more broken power
lines in the same areas," said Realf Ottesen of Agder Energi.

He said the worst-hit areas included Gjerstad, Akland, Søndeled and Holt.
Around 2,500 households around southern Norway were without power.

Snow continued to fall around the Oslo metropolitan area as well, with up to
15 centimetres expected on Thursday and more on Friday. Temperatures sunk to
minus-9C in some areas, and while skiers were delighted, motorists endured
slick roads and traffic snarls. Commutes that should take just 15 minutes
were taking more than an hour Thursday morning.

The near-hurricane conditions in northern Norway forced the closure of
numerous roads and highways, and the cancellation of ferry lines and
flights. Emergency crews in Hammerfest worked through the night to help
residents secure buildings, while construction ceased at most building sites
in Bodø and other northern cities.

Schools and day care centers were to stay open on Thursday, but children
were being kept indoors and adults as well were being warned against going
out.

The high winds were creating chill factors of down to minus-50C.

Aftenposten English Web Desk
Nina Berglund/NTB

http://www.aftenposten.no/english/lo...cle1201504.ece