Severe Snowstorm Causes Massive Traffic Chaos on E6 and E22 in Southern Sweden

Southern Sweden faced severe traffic disruptions on November 20, 2025, following a powerful snowstorm that paralyzed major highways, including the E6 and E22 in Skåne. The snowstorm led to total stoppages and accidents that compounded the disruption, leaving motorists stranded for hours in freezing conditions.

The E22 highway between Gårdstånga and Lund was completely blocked, causing significant delays. Simultaneously, E6 experienced severe congestion from a collision involving two cars northbound, leading to a truck getting stuck while trying to overtake. This incident trapped plow trucks, rescue vehicles, and towing services, intensifying the traffic standstill. Motorists like Roxy Knudsen reported being stuck for over five hours, barely progressing 1.4 kilometers, with concerns about inadequate traffic management and access to water.

Authorities deployed bandvagnar (tracked vehicles) along E6 to distribute water, energy bars, and blankets to stranded drivers, aiming to provide essential relief amid the chaos. However, some motorists reported not seeing these vehicles promptly. Rescue services, police, and Trafikverket worked together to resolve the situation, with partial movement beginning in one lane by evening.

Beyond Skåne, other roads such as Riksväg 15 near Osby and Riksväg 27 near Ronneby were also closed due to accidents. A truck blocked E4 between Markaryd and Ljungby under icy conditions, with plans to reopen by around 10 PM. Traffic was redirected via marked detour routes to alleviate congestion.

In anticipation of such events, Trafikverket had preemptively deployed bandvagnar in Västervik, ready with blankets, water, and energy bars to prevent repeating last year's ordeal, when nearly 1,000 vehicles were stranded on E22 under harsh winter conditions. The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute issued an orange weather warning for the region, highlighting slippery roads, poor visibility, and snowdrifts.

Trafikverket communications officer Sara Lindström urged residents to avoid non-essential travel and follow safety measures such as maintaining distance and reducing speed. The incident exemplifies the challenges of managing traffic amid unpredictable severe weather and accidents, emphasizing the necessity of proactive preparedness and collaborative emergency response.

As of the evening, efforts continue to clear blockages and restore normal traffic flow while emergency resources remain on standby across affected areas.