Transport Helsinki disrupted as snow hits the capital at the end of April | Yle news

The exceptional snow in late spring caused many services in Helsinki to be disrupted.

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Helsinki’s tram service was suspended on Tuesday morning after freezing rain and heavy snow hit the Finnish capital Helsinki.

After the Finnish Meteorological Institute warned of “very poor” driving conditions in many parts of the country, motorists were warned to stay off the roads if they had already switched to summer tires on their vehicles.

In the capital, both the so-called light rail line number 15 and the regular tram service in the central districts were canceled because the overhead power lines were frozen due to freezing rain.

“It didn’t melt overnight, so we can’t start normal service this morning,” the Helsinki Region Transport (HSL) press officer said. Johannes Laitila. “Light rail trams are stuck right across the line.”

In addition, bus and train services have been delayed due to the exceptional circumstances.

“We have a wide range of problems in transport services due to weather conditions,” said Laitila. “Tram services are currently experiencing the most problems.”

The HSL has deployed tram replacement bus services for tram line 15 between Itäkeskus and Oulunkylä, with this arrangement in effect from Tuesday morning until further notice.

There was no estimate of a timetable for a return to normal service, and Laitila advised travelers to allow more time for their travels.

The unusually late snowfall hit cities across the country, with Turku also canceling much of its bus services on Tuesday morning.

Local police in southwestern Finland have reported a dozen road accidents, with no serious injuries.