Storm Johannes Leaves Three Dead, Causes Widespread Disruption Across Sweden

Deadly Winter Storm Grips Sweden

A powerful winter storm, named Johannes, struck Sweden on December 27-28, 2025, leading to tragic consequences, widespread power outages, and severe travel disruptions across the country. The storm, which also affected other Nordic nations, has been described as one of the most serious post-Christmas incidents in recent years.

Three Fatalities Confirmed Amidst Storm Chaos

The storm tragically claimed the lives of three individuals in Sweden. One man, in his 50s, died after being struck by a falling tree at the Kungsberget ski resort in central Sweden. Another fatality occurred in Hofors, where a man in his 60s was hit by a falling tree while working in the forest. He later succumbed to his injuries in the hospital. A third man died in Härnösand municipality during tree-clearing operations. These incidents underscore the extreme dangers posed by the storm's high winds and falling debris.

Extensive Power Outages and Travel Disruptions

Storm Johannes caused significant infrastructure damage, plunging tens of thousands of homes into darkness. At its peak, over 40,000 households in Sweden were left without electricity. While some power was restored, more than 15,000 households remained without power on December 29. Energy companies warned that full restoration could take several days.

Travel across Sweden was severely impacted, with numerous services halted:

• Flights, rail, and ferry services were canceled.
• Train services were suspended, including routes between Bräcke and Storlien, affecting popular destinations like Östersund and Åre.
• Roads were blocked by thousands of fallen trees, prompting the Swedish Transport Administration to issue warnings (VMA) urging residents in northern Dalarna, Gävleborg, Västernorrland, and southern Jämtland counties to avoid unnecessary travel.

Significant Environmental Impact

Beyond immediate disruptions, Storm Johannes is estimated to have caused the worst forest damage in Sweden in a decade. Preliminary assessments suggest that approximately 10 million cubic meters of forest were felled, primarily in the Dalarna and Gävleborg regions north of Stockholm. This extensive damage has raised concerns about long-term environmental and economic consequences for the timber market. The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute had issued alerts for strong winds across large parts of the northern half of the country as the storm made landfall.