The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency (Naturvårdsverket) has issued a warning about significant avalanche danger in western Härjedalsfjällen and southern Jämtlandsfjällen. According to the agency's avalanche forecasts, the danger level is rated at 3 on their 5-point scale, indicating 'dangerous conditions'.
Petter Palmgren, avalanche expert at Naturvårdsverket, stated: 'We have seen unusually many near-misses and more or less serious accidents.' The warning affects popular mountain areas including Funäsdalen, Ramundberget, Ljungdalen, Helags, Bydalen, Storulvån, Åre, and Sylarna.
We have seen unusually many near-misses and more or less serious accidents.
Several avalanche incidents have been reported in recent days. On Wednesday, two skiers were caught in an approximately 300-meter-wide avalanche at Torkilsstöten in Ljungdalen but escaped unharmed. Another avalanche was triggered in Åre, prompting mountain rescue response, though no one was reported caught in the snow masses.
Additional incidents include a skier-triggered avalanche at Sylarna on Tuesday, naturally triggered avalanches observed at Snasahögarna, and two avalanches at Mietjenburrentjahke in Snasahögarna on Friday, one reportedly large enough to bury a car. The agency also received a report of a spontaneous avalanche large enough to bury a person just south of Ramundberget on Monday.
Naturvårdsverket is urging mountain visitors to exercise extreme caution and stay informed about current conditions.