Red warnings for extreme wind gusts and avalanches issued as Storm Ingunn approaches Norway

A powerful Atlantic windstorm named Storm Ingunn by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute on January 31, 2024 is now moving over the Faroe Islands with wind gusts of up to 250 km/h (155 mph). While severe gales will affect northern Britain, in Norway, red warnings are in place for extreme wind gusts and avalanches

The storm, which rapidly deepened while passing north of Scotland, is expected to significantly impact Norway today and tomorrow, January 31 – February 1, 2024.

In the Faroe Islands, meteorologists from Severe Weather Europe reported wind gusts reaching up to 250 km/h (155 mph). In Norway, hurricane-force winds nearing 200 km/h (125 mph) are forecast for tonight. Widespread red warnings for extreme wind gusts and avalanches have been issued.

The storm’s effects are expected to be particularly severe along the coastal areas of central Norway, especially in Trondelag and Nordland counties. The rest of northern and south-central Norway will also experience strong winds, though slightly less intense. Property damage and power outages are anticipated in the worst-affected areas.

Heavy rainfall is expected along coastal areas of Nordland early on February 1, with the potential for flooding in low-lying regions. Heavy snowfall across Nordland is likely, and rough seas may exacerbate the risk of coastal flooding. Landslides and avalanches are a significant concern, particularly in mountainous areas, due to weakened snowpack and slush flows.

Areas experiencing significant flooding or landslides can expect disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services, as well as severe impacts on transportation, including flight delays and cancellations.

A 250 km/hr wind gust was reported in Heltnin on the Faroe Islands 🇫🇴 earlier today as Storm Ingunn passed into the Norweigan Sea.

Red warnings for extreme wind gusts and avalanches are in force for parts of Trøndelag and Nordland on the west coast of Norway 🇳🇴#StormIngunn pic.twitter.com/iFxA4fjrvH

— James Cosgrove (@MrJamesCosgrove) January 31, 2024

The rapidly deepening area of low pressure passing to the north of Scotland today has been named Storm Ingunn by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute

Severe gales will affect northern Britain, but in Norway, red warnings are in place for hurricane force winds and avalanches pic.twitter.com/mXkCQQU5Ll

— Met Office (@metoffice) January 31, 2024

The Norwegian Meteorological Institute has issued various weather warnings for the region:

Vi har en ny oppdatering på ekstremværet Ingunn❗

Lavtrykket har flyttet seg litt lengre nord i de nyeste prognosene. Vi har oppdatert det gule farevarselet om vindkast i Sør-Troms til oransje nivå 🔶

Det ventes svært kraftige vindkast på over 35 m/s fra nordvest 🌬️ pic.twitter.com/WIEkXCUswG

— Meteorologene (@Meteorologene) January 31, 2024

• Red strong wind warnings in Trondelag, central and southern Nordland, and the Lofoten archipelago.
• Orange landslide warnings in northern Nordland and southern Troms.
• Orange strong wind warnings in coastal areas of More og Romsdal and northern Vestland, as well as other parts of Nordland and Trondelag.
• Yellow warnings for heavy rainfall, snowfall, blowing snow, high water levels, and landslides across multiple counties.
• Red and orange avalanche warnings in north-central and parts of south-central Norway.

References:

¹ Red weather alert issued as Norway braces for ‘Storm Ingunn’ – The Local – January 30, 2024

² Norway: Adverse weather forecast across much of the country through at least Feb. 1 – Crisis24 – January 31, 2024

Featured image credit: James Cosgrove