Snowfall and strong winds in eastern and northern Estonia have made roads impassable in places and the Transport Administration is urging drivers to delay their journeys. More snow is forecast on Sunday.

“Intense snowfall spreading across Estonia from southern and eastern Estonia, combined with wind and low temperatures, has made road conditions very difficult,” Siim Vaikmaa, head of the Transport Administration’s traffic management center, told ERR on Saturday morning.

He said the situation is most difficult in Lääne-Viru and Ida-Viru counties and in Southeastern Estonia, but the snow has already reached Viljandi County and Harju County as well.

“There have been reports of traffic accidents on major roads, on the Tallinn–Narva maantee near Haljala and on the Tallinn–Tartu maantee near Puurmani. Of the main highways, conditions are most difficult on the Tallinn–Narva maantee,” Vaikmaa said.

Smaller roads in southern Estonia have already been blocked by snowdrifts and are impassable, the agency said.

“If possible, we ask people in these regions to postpone their trips if they can,” Vaikmaa said. “There’s a real risk of getting stuck, especially for lower vehicles and on smaller roads.”

Road maintenance crews are on duty, but the main roads take priority.

More information can be viewed on the Tark tee traffic website.

You can follow the latest weather alerts on the Environment Agency’s website.

You can call the state information hotline 1247 if you get stuck.

Driver: Road conditions in Harju County are terrible

At 4.30 p.m. the Transport Administration said snow was falling in many areas of Northern, Central, and Western Estonia.

Of the main highways, road conditions are most difficult on the Tallinn–Narva highway in Harju and Lääne-Viru counties. Heavy snowfall has covered the road, and visibility may be reduced due to drifting snow.

An ERR reader who drove from Jõgeva to Tallinn in the afternoon said they did not see a single road maintenance vehicle until reaching the sidewalks in Tallinn.

“The roads were terrible, the drifting snow in Harju County was really frightening, and at times visibility on the Narva–Tallinn highway was zero. So if you need to travel, make sure to allow plenty of time,” they said.

Road conditions are also difficult on the Pärnu–Rakvere–Sõmeru road, particularly between Rakvere and Aravete, the agency said.

Elsewhere on major highways, driving conditions are mostly acceptable. However, snow and salt mix can be found between lanes, and drifting snow is occurring. Secondary and lower-traffic roads are snowy and slippery, with strong winds causing snowdrifts.

Intense snowfall forecast

Viktor Kisseljov, head of the Northern Division at the Transport Administration, told Saturday’s evening news show “Aktuaalne kaamera” the most difficult conditions are on roads in Eastern Harju County, Ida-Viru County, and Lääne-Viru County.

“Of course, there is intense snowfall and drifting across Estonia. Strong winds are certainly making the situation worse. There are snowdrifts in places, and some smaller roads are difficult to pass,” he said.

Kisseljov said the agency has 180 snow removal units operating across the country.

“We’re actually also preparing for the evening and tomorrow, because even more intense snowfall is expected,” he added. “If possible, we recommend not traveling at all.”

—

Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update!