Storm Dave Rips Through Sweden: Major Damage and Widespread Disruptions on Easter Sunday

On Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, Storm Dave, a powerful low-pressure system, swept across large parts of Sweden, causing significant damage, extensive power outages, and transportation chaos. The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) issued an orange weather warning, urging residents to stay indoors amid hurricane-force gusts reaching between 36 and nearly 40 meters per second along the coast. The storm particularly impacted northern Götaland, southwestern Svealand, and the west coast.

Approximately 31,000 households lost electricity mainly in western and southern Sweden. Svenska kraftnät warned that some customers might remain without power until Monday due to repair challenges from high winds and darkness. Emergency services faced a relentless surge of incidents, especially in the Storgöteborg area, managing some 160 lower-priority weather-related calls including fallen trees, fires, and debris on roads. Thankfully, serious injuries were rare, although an individual was struck by a falling tree in Vetlanda.

Storm Dave inflicted structural damage across several areas. In Uddevalla, parts of a building facade collapsed, while in Jönköping, the roof of IF Haga football club's stand was blown off, with the club president noting the need for a thorough damage assessment. On the coast near Oskarshamn, a Gotland ferry carrying about 800 passengers was forced to turn back due to wind speeds of up to 30 meters per second, with the scheduled Oskarshamn to Visby departure canceled. Flights at Landvetter airport experienced multiple cancellations and delays linked to severe winds.

Traffic disruptions included the closure of Älvsborgsbron in Göteborg and cancellations of several train services, particularly between Stockholm and other cities. SMHI's expert Hilda Westberg also reported significant rainfall and thunderstorms in Dalsland and Värmland regions, adding to the storm's severity.

Authorities continue monitoring the situation closely as Storm Dave's effects persist, with repair crews working under difficult conditions and emergency services remaining on high alert until the storm subsides.