Ice roads in Estonia closed due to effects of recent warmer temperatures
As of Sunday, all ice roads in Estonia were closed due to the effects of recent warmer temperatures on ice conditions.
On Saturday, the ice road connecting the major Western Estonian islands of Hiiumaa and Saaremaa was closed due to cracks that formed in the ice, and the Haapsalu-Noarootsi ice road closed due to seawater on the surface of the ice. On Sunday, however, the Laaksaare-Piirissaare and Vormsi-Rohuküla ice croads were closed as well, reported ERR's radio news.
According to the Estonian Road Administration, the ice roads are currently covered in water that is in parts up to ten centimeters high, which means that they cannot keep the roads open.
"Looking at [this] week's weather forecast, the same kind of thaw weather can be expected at the beginning of the week," said Tiit Ruut, chief specialist of the Road Maintenance Department of the Estonian Road Administration's Western Region. "We currently cannot even say for certain whether or not we will be able to reopen the ice roads."
Editor: Aili Vahtla