Severe Windstorm Batters Stockholm, Causing Injuries and Widespread Damage
A severe windstorm in Stockholm caused injuries, extensive damage, and widespread power outages.
Key Points
- • Wind speeds reached 21 m/s, marking the strongest July winds in 25 years.
- • A person was seriously injured by a falling tree in Vasaparken.
- • Over 10,000 customers experienced power outages across the region.
- • Traffic disruptions occurred due to numerous fallen trees, impacting transport services.
On July 4, 2025, Stockholm faced a devastating windstorm, marking the city’s windiest July day in at least 25 years. Wind speeds reached as high as 21 meters per second, exacerbating the instability caused by a prior heatwave. According to the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI), the severe weather caused extensive damage across various parts of the city, including fallen trees that led to injuries and significant property damage.
A notable incident occurred in Vasaparken, where a falling tree struck a pedestrian, seriously injuring the individual who was subsequently hospitalized. The police have initiated an investigation to look into the circumstances surrounding this event. Efforts to clear fallen trees have been hampered, contributing to substantial traffic disruptions throughout the region. Emergency services recorded over 20 incidents where trees obstructed roadways, leading to delays and cancellations affecting both road and rail transport.
The storm also resulted in widespread power outages, with more than 10,000 customers initially affected. Key areas such as Nynäshamn and Täby faced significant outages. Electricity provider Ellevio reported that by the evening, the number of affected customers had decreased to around 7,000, as repairs began to take effect.
The storm prompted a yellow weather warning for eastern Svealand, effective from 3 PM to 8 PM, with experts advising that while unstable weather conditions would persist, improvements were possible by the end of the week. The Traffic Agency confirmed halted train services between Södertälje Syd and Norrköping as a precautionary measure due to the conditions, illustrating the storm's far-reaching impact on public transportation as well.
Meteorologist Pererik Åberg characterized the long-lasting winds as a rare and serious event, impacting not only daily life but also raising public safety concerns as clean-up operations commenced in the wake of the storm's fury.