Sweden braces for 'deep freeze' in February

Meteorologists are warning that next month in Sweden will be even colder than January, with temperatures set to plummet as the whole of the Nordic region gets hit by atmospheric blocking.

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Experts at Weather Services International have warned Sweden and much of the rest of northern Europe that February will be "much colder than normal".

According to Dr. Todd Crawford at the agency, the "very volatile" winter will push on after a brief respite at the start of the year.

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"All of the objective evidence suggests a very cold remainder of winter across the Nordic regions and northwestern Russia as atmospheric blocking re-emerges and allows for very cold Arctic high pressure and dry weather to persist over these areas, including the Scandinavia hydro basins," he said in a statement.

“We expect the lingering impacts of the atmospheric blocking to persist into at least March, with cold temperatures persisting across the Nordic regions," he added.

Those longing for some warmth will have to wait until at least April, when "above-normal temperatures" have been predicted in Sweden.

For now, temperatures continue to sit well below zero, with the mercury dropping as low as -18C in Stockholm this week.

Meanwhile, Sweden's weather agency SMHI issued a class one weather warning for Norbotten in far northern Sweden on Wednesday due to strong winds and poor visibility.

Southern Sweden is set to be hit by temperatures as low as -20C on Wednesday night, however these temperatures are predicted to creep up slightly before the weekend.

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