– There is a lot of traffic, and there is a queue down from the mountains and a little from Southern Norway as well, says traffic operator Marita Bakkebø at Vegtrafikksentralen south to Dagbladet.
In several places, there are slow-moving queues, and it is expected that the queues will continue throughout the afternoon.
– We encourage people to follow the traffic, pay attention and not stress, says Bakkebø.
There are longer delays on several main roads:
* Rv7 Gol-Ørgenvika: approx. 1 hour delay.* Rv7 Ørgenvika-Hønefoss: approx. 20 minutes delay.* E16 Hønefoss-Sandvika: approx. 50 minutes delay.
There are also delays on the E18:
* Moheimkrysset-Langangenkrysset in Porsgrunn: Eastbound direction approx. 25 minutes delay.
* At the Hemtunellen in Tønsberg: In an easterly direction, there is approx. 15 minutes delay.
On Sunday afternoon, a fire also broke out in a car on the E134 in Hardanger in Vestland, causing problems in the Easter traffic.
– The car is full of fire. One lane is blocked and there is a lot of traffic in the area, West Police District writes on Twitter.
No people are injured.
110 West reports that the car has caught fire, but that there is no danger of it spreading.
The fire brigade is extinguishing the fire, and they have requested tow trucks.
The Røldal tunnel is closed as a result of the fire.
– The road will be opened as soon as possible, it is not possible to determine the time as of now.
Storm expected
Due to the glorious weather in many places on Easter Sunday, it is expected that many will delay their return home. On Monday, however, storms are expected in the mountains, and the meteorologists and the Road Traffic Center have clear calls.
It is especially the southerners who should be aware of the expected storm. In the mountains in the south, the meteorologists have issued a danger warning at yellow level for heavy snowfall.
– In the first instance, the danger warnings mainly apply to the mountain passes between east and west, says meteorologist Martin Granerød to Dagbladet.
The fire brigade is called: – Perfect storm
If the return is on these roads, there may therefore be difficulties in getting home on Monday.
There will be increasing wind, and slight to stiff gales in exposed places. Combined with snow, it will cause difficult visibility.
– So those who are in the high mountains, or going over the mountain passes, should plan their journey home extra early, if they are thinking of driving on Monday, recommends Granerød.
SNØFOKK: Snow and wind are a bad combination on the roads. This is what it looked like on the E6 above Dovrefjell on Easter Monday in 2020. Photo: Webcam Statens vegvesen / NTB
sea view
We do not recommend peak travel
It is also not recommended to go on a top hike in the mountains in southern Norway on Easter Monday.
– You shouldn’t do it on Monday. There will be strong winds on the highest peaks.
The weather can also cause problems on the roads in the lower mountain areas.
– Snow is expected there above 600-700 metres, and then it will change to rain further down. It may snow and become slippery. Some roads are covered in snow from before, and the precipitation can make it icy and icy in places due to the transition to mild weather, says the meteorologist.
– So when should people think about the return journey?
– You have to consider that a bit yourself. But if you go out and drive on Monday, the conditions are better the earlier you start. And if you’re going over the high mountain, it’s good to check the weather and forecasts, and plan for it to take longer than you would on a good weather day.
May be closed
It should also be taken into account that mountain passes can be closed at short notice, the meteorologists write in the danger warning.
– History shows that in weather like this, there have been challenges on the mountain passes. So you can see how strong the wind will be. It is Vegtrafikksentralen that decides whether the road will be open or not.
Traffic operator Anne Hårstad at Vegtrafikksentralen öst tells Dagbladet that it may be worthwhile to return home either today or Tuesday, due to the weather that is expected.
– When are the most cars expected on the roads?
– Fine weather is expected today, so if you want to queue, you have to wait until the evening. When the weather is nice, it is common for people to wait as long as possible. Then there will be queues in the evening, says Haarstad.
However, after the corona pandemic and the trend of home offices, it has become more difficult to predict, she says.
– But people should at least try to drive when the weather is not bad if they want a good pace on the roads. Driving conditions will become more difficult as soon as there is sleet and snow.
Brilliant Easter weather – then it turns around
Sun in the north, rain in the south
While southern Norway’s fine weather days are immediately over for this time, there will be a change of weather further north.
– For northern Norway, it has been cloudy and rainy in recent days. And when it gets bad in the south, it usually gets better in the north, says meteorologist Granerød.
In Northern Norway, there is now a longer period of sunshine, which will gradually take effect throughout the day.
– They can look forward to some nice days during the week. While here in the south it will continue with gray weather and rain. So we’ll see how it will be closer to the weekend, where it’s more uncertain, says the meteorologist.
