Storm Knud: Dangerous windstorm affecting Norway, Denmark and Sweden, widespread damage expected

A rapidly deepening cyclone, known locally as Storm Knud, is developing in the North Sea today and is already affecting southern Norway, Denmark and southern Sweden, producing very strong winds and heavy rain. Extremely severe wind strength, likely peaking into 130 – 150 km/h (80 – 93 mph) is possible in many areas. Widespread damage is expected.

Morning pressure analysis reveals a rapidly deepening cyclone in the North Sea, just west of Denmark, moving towards NE, SWE meteorologists report. Severe winds are already reported from several stations at the open sea and peak gusts reaching up to 112 km/h (70 mph). Gusts up to 90 km/h (56 mph) have also been reported along the coast of the Netherlands.

Officials in Norway said the storm will directly hit Vendsyssel, Jammerbugt, Thisted and Lemvig, where wind gusts of up to 126 km/h (78 mph) are expected, which could cause widespread damage.

Trains and boats across western Sweden have already been canceled and the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute has issued a class-two warning for several western regions: Skagerrak, Bohuslän, Göteborg, Dalsland and western Västergötland. Heavy winds also expected in most of the rest of Götaland and Svealand.

The Danish Meteorological Institute maintains Category 2 storm warning for parts of North and West Jutland valid from around Friday afternoon.

Extremely severe wind strength, likely peaking into 130 – 150 km/h (80 – 93 mph) is possible in many areas.

Featured image credit: Storm Knud at 14:00 UTC on September 21, 2018. Credit: SSEC, UW-CIMSS, TW