I do not know where these people come from or what they do the rest of the year, but when the snow comes they remove it from the top of roofs. This is a fairly common sight in Stockholm in February and it serves two purposes, avoid collapsed roofs and avoid icicle buildup that could potentially result in 20 lbs. of ice falling on someone's head.

The only thing between them and a fast trip 5 floors down is a thin rope they have wrapped around them mountaineer style. Considering they are on a slanted roof covered with ice and snow it amazes me that there aren't about 100 near-fatal incidents a year. On the contrary I've never heard of a single incident. Regardless, I am glad that this is something I can be content to watch from a warm office and not take part in.

Permalink    Labels: Stockholm, Snow, Weather, 1 Minute Video

Taken from the roof at a friends apartment building this shows your typical New Years Eve fireworks display in Stockholm (where buying fireworks is legal). The city itself doesn't have an official display so this is all done by people from their balconies or back gardens.

Starting at just before midnight (well, technically people start before Christmas) this continues for about an hour (technically for a few days as people blow up everything they have). If you listen closely you can hear the church bells in the background.

Happy New Years!

Permalink    Labels: 1 Minute Video, Stockholm

This is the umm...beautiful view from work on this windy, cold and snowy day. Looking south you can barely make out the ski slope in the background and a huge water tower further on. Not to belittle this particular area of south Stockholm but it looks like Vladivostok on a day like this. It also feels like it.

It has snowed all day, I think in the end we accumulated about 8-10 inches in some places. The rest of this week is supposed to be below freezing. So, with some luck, we may actuall have snow on the ground for Christmas for the first time in a number of years.

Permalink    Labels: 1 Minute Video, Snow, Weather, Stockholm

We've been getting the first real snow of the year over the last few days. I think they are currently forecasting a "class 1" snowfall for the day here. That indicates slippery conditions and possible delays/problems with traffic and other communications.

Stockholm doesn't actually tend to get much snow, although it's a welcome site as it brightens up the constant dusk that is in place between November and March.

The film to the right was taken on the way to work this morning. It is filmed from the tram that skirts the side of the city.

Permalink    Labels: 1 Minute Video, Snow, Weather, Stockholm, Trains