Storm Dave, a deep low-pressure system named by the British Met Office, has moved across Scandinavia, bringing severe weather, powerful wind gusts, and significant travel disruptions to Sweden during the Easter weekend of April 4, 2026.
The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) issued an orange weather warning for strong winds affecting northern Götaland, the entire Gothenburg area, and the southwesternmost parts of Svealand. This warning remained valid from 12 noon on April 5 until 2 a.m. On April 6.
Yellow weather alerts were also implemented for other regions of Götaland and Svealand. These warnings included risks of inland storm gusts in Bohuslän, parts of Dalsland, and the Västgöta plains, as well as coastal areas from Halmstad up to the Norwegian border.
Impact on Transport and Infrastructure
The Swedish Transport Administration reported significant disruptions due to fallen trees and high winds. Several rail sections were closed until at least 7 a.m. On April 6, including the routes between Nässjö and Landeryd, Nässjö and Vetlanda, Jönköping and Vaggeryd, and Kalmar and Linköping.
In response to the conditions, speed limits were introduced on certain road sections in the Gothenburg area and Bohuslän. The Swedish Transport Administration advised travelers to verify if trains were running, as several services were cancelled during the onset of the storm.
Maritime travel was also affected. Stena Line announced the cancellation of four ferry departures between Gothenburg and Fredrikshamn on April 5 and April 6. SMHI’s coastal warnings urged mariners to evaluate whether sea travel was advisable given the high winds.
Precipitation and Regional Weather Variations
The storm brought a mixture of rain and snow across different regions. While Götaland experienced rain, the weather turned to snow from Värmland northwards. A separate yellow alert for heavy snowfall was issued for much of Värmland on April 4, with SMHI warning that slippery roads and poor visibility could increase travel times.
Meteorologist Nitzan Cohen of the Swedish public broadcaster SVT noted that the strongest winds were expected to arrive on the afternoon and evening of April 5, following a brief lull overnight.
Earlier in the weekend, mixed precipitation consisting of sleet and rain affected Svealand and northeastern Götaland. While some areas in Götaland and western Svealand saw sun on the afternoon of April 3, the arrival of the low-pressure system brought a shift toward more aggressive weather conditions.
Safety Recommendations and Outlook
Authorities and meteorologists urged the public to take the warnings seriously. Nitzan Cohen recommended that motorists avoid smaller roads in southern Sweden to minimize the risk of encountering fallen trees, suggesting that travelers stick to larger routes where possible.
SMHI meteorologist Anna Belking indicated that while the deep low-pressure system was expected to move away by April 6, the subsequent weather would be driven by high pressure. Despite the shift, temperatures were not expected to rise significantly, and northerly winds were forecast to persist into the middle of the following week.
Wind speeds may still change—we’ll have to wait and see if it becomes as aggressive as current models suggest, or if reality turns out milder
Nitzan Cohen, SVT Meteorologist