Following yesterday's transport disruptions in Västerbotten, SMHI's yellow warning for sudden black ice has caused major chaos on the E4 in Norrbotten, with lorries blocking the road at two points and hours-long queues between Kalix, Boden, and Piteå. Luleå local traffic is canceled, and a stranded driver calls it 'complete chaos.'
SMHI issued a yellow warning on the evening of December 18, 2025, for sudden black ice in Norrbotten's coastal area—risking rain freezing on cold roads—extending to parts of Jämtland, Västernorrland, Värmland, Dalarna, and Gävleborg. This builds on earlier warnings that disrupted Västerbotten the previous day.
Lorries have blocked the E4 at two points between Kalix, Boden, and Piteå, forming several-kilometer queues marked red on Trafikverket's map, with traffic at a standstill.
Toni Keskitalo from Haparanda, stuck for three hours en route to Luleå with his wife, described the scene: "It's complete chaos." He estimated queues up to three kilometers, with no movement. Trafikverket's prognosis suggested reopening by 10 PM, though uncertain; sand trucks and tow trucks were deployed, but none had reached their location. "I've never experienced anything like this in Norrland," Toni said.
With fuel and water but no food, they hoped to avoid overnighting in Töre. In Luleå, bus traffic was canceled indefinitely, and drivers were urged to drive cautiously.
