Mountain weather can change quickly and make the tour more demanding. This is why it is important to listen and read the latest weather report. One should always listen to local knowledge. The weather can also be nice moments in the midnight sun.
All mountain stations and most mountain huts and hotels estimate local weather prognoses, and you can find in many cases the same information at the establishment’s website. The local prognoses are also available on the telephone system at SMHI.
Midnight sun
During early summer, the sun shines all day and night north of the Arctic Circle. Here, you will find some of the best places to see the midnight sun.
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The wind’s effect – wintertime
8-11 m/s
Fresh wind
It is becoming difficult to walk against the wind; driving snow is whipping against the face. In general, low snowdrifts, but at times higher than a man.
11-14 m/s
Strong wind
It is very difficult to go ahead against the wind. Man-high snowdrifts during loose snow, low snowdrifts over harder snow surfaces.
14-17 m/sek
Near Gale
"Warning for hard weather". Beginning difficulties to orienteer oneself. Most experience this wind as “storm”. High, dense drifting snow that sets visibility at maximum a couple hundred metres. Difficult for a group to stay together.
17-21 m/s
Gale
"Warning for gale force winds". Impossible to orient oneself, difficulties in following marked trails, a struggle to ski even with a tailwind, very bad visibility, and much effort needed to use poles.
21-24 m/s
Severe gale
Wind and drifting snow make it impossible to make one’s way on skis over the mountains, very difficult even with a tailwind, visibility non-existent.
25 – 32 m/s
Storm
Cannot hold oneself upright. Difficult to survive.
33 m/s <
Hurricane
One is physically blown away with equipment, etc., and has great difficulty in getting through.
Weather limitations for severe weather
From 1996, the limitation for a severe weather warning changed from 11 m/s to 14 m/s.
If access to loose snow in the terrain is good or a continuous snowfall is expected, a warning will also be issued for wind speeds between 11 and 14 m/s.
If the wind exceeds 11 m/s, the warning will also be issued at a temperature lower than -7 degrees due to the cooling effect.
Warning for very severe weather is given when the wind is expected to be over 17 m/s.