SMHI Issues Yellow Warning for Heavy Snowfall and Icy Conditions in Southern Västerbotten

SMHI warns of heavy snowfall up to 20 cm and icy conditions in southern Västerbotten, advising caution for travelers on December 13, 2025.

    Key details

  • • SMHI issued a yellow warning for heavy snowfall in southern Västerbotten on December 13, 2025.
  • • Snowfall expected between 10 and 15 centimeters, with local amounts exceeding 20 centimeters.
  • • Coastal rain increases risk of icy roads and slippery conditions.
  • • Travelers should reduce speed and anticipate longer travel times; possible public transport delays and network disruptions expected.

The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) has issued a yellow weather warning for significant snowfall and icy conditions across southern Västerbotten, including the Umeå area, on Saturday, December 13, 2025. The warning is effective from 1 PM until 11 PM and anticipates snowfall amounts between 10 and 15 centimeters, with local accumulations reaching over 20 centimeters. Coastal areas are expected to experience rain, raising the risk of slippery roads due to ice formation.

Travelers are advised to exercise caution and lower their speeds as road conditions become hazardous, with potential impacts on visibility and longer travel times. SMHI also warns of possible delays or cancellations in public transport and disruptions to electrical and telecommunications networks, especially in regions relying on overhead lines. The snowfall is expected to cause considerable local variation, making precise forecasting difficult.

The alert underscores the need for preparedness in Västerbotten’s communities as winter weather conditions pose risks to transportation and infrastructure. SMHI’s yellow warning signals potential consequences for the public and advises vigilant driving and planning during the snowfall period.

This article was translated and synthesized from Swedish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.

Source comparison

Warning start time

Sources disagree on the start time of the snowfall warning

expressen.se

"The warning is for significant snowfall expected on Saturday afternoon until approximately 11 PM."

aftonbladet.se

"The warning is in effect for parts of southern Västerbotten from 1 PM to 11 PM."

Why this matters: One source states the warning begins at 1 PM, while the other does not specify a start time. This discrepancy is significant as it affects when the public should be alerted to prepare for the weather conditions.

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