Sweden is caught in a low-pressure corridor caused by high-pressure systems over Russia and Greenland, leading to three successive low-pressure systems. The gloomy weather with slush, sleet, and wind is expected to last at least ten days, with mild temperatures and risk of icy roads. Despite this, a white Christmas remains possible.
Sweden is situated in a low-pressure corridor stretching over Scandinavia, driven by two powerful high-pressure systems—one over Russia and one over Greenland. This creates a chain of low-pressure areas moving in from the Atlantic and slowing down, according to meteorologist Lasse Rydqvist at Klart. "It doesn't look bright for December," he says.
For the weekend, gray weather is forecast with temperatures of 2 to 7 degrees Celsius in southern Sweden and -6 to 2 degrees in the north. Southern areas will see mild, gray days with few sunshine hours, while the north faces snow but mainly slippery conditions. SMHI has issued yellow warnings for sudden icy roads on Saturday, from Umeå to Sundsvall, Bollnäs, Ånge, Sveg, and Sollefteå, as well as from Edsbyn, Älvdalen, Mora, and Malung to Torsby. SVT meteorologist Marcus Sjöstedt warns: "It could be tricky on the roads. Drive very carefully and adjust your speed."
A total of three low-pressure systems are expected to arrive, with the first already in for the weekend. The pattern could last ten days, and December appears mild through to the end. "Forecasts become less reliable the further out you look. So there's room for it to turn toward the end of December," Rydqvist says, assessing it looks worse for Lucia than for Christmas Eve. Sjöstedt agrees that a white Christmas is still possible nationwide, despite the mild warmth which is not unusual for the season.