SMHI Admits Weather Warning for Ångermanland Flood Was Too Weak

On September 7, 2025, Ångermanland experienced severe weather marked by heavy rainfall that caused significant flooding and damage to road infrastructure. Tragically, a 75-year-old man died in Härnösand after his car fell into a crack created by a washed-out road due to these conditions. The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) conducted an evaluation of their weather warnings related to this event and concluded that the originally issued yellow warning was insufficient given the severity of the weather. They acknowledged that an orange warning should have been issued to better reflect the risk and inform the public appropriately. This admission highlights SMHI's recognition of the need for stronger alert levels in cases of extreme weather to potentially prevent similar tragedies and mitigate damage. The severity of the weather and its impacts continue to draw attention to the adequacy of weather forecasting and communication to the public in Sweden.