Extremely low pressure grounds some air traffic in northern Norway
The past months have seen extraordinarily rough weather along the north Norwegian coast.
Early this week came another extreme.
The air pressure dropped to a level not seen in several decades.
According to the Norwegian meteorological institute, the air pressure across major parts of the region was below 940 hectopascal, a level that makes flying unsafe.
The Widerøe company that serves most of the regional routes put almost its whole aircraft fleet on the ground.
«Our smallest aircraft type Dash 100, 200 and 300 can not fly with pressure lower than 948 hectopascal,» the company informs on it Facebook page.
Hundreds of passengers affected
More than 2,000 passengers were affected by the weather conditions. Only on Tuesday afternoon did the pressure return to a level that allows aircraft to operate normally.
The low pressure also resulted in high waters levels along the Norwegian coast. In Tromsø, the north Norwegian town, the sea water was on Tuesday 354 cm higher than normal, the Meteorological Institute informs.
Related stories from around the North:
Finland: 40 C temperature gap between northern and southern Finland, Yle News
Norway: Temperatures on Svalbard have been above normal for 100 straight months, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russian climate report stresses adaptation but no reduction in fossil fuel extraction, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: January temperatures about 10°C above normal in parts of northern Sweden, says weather service, Radio Sweden
United States: Temperatures nearing all-time records in Southcentral Alaska, Alaska Public Media
