After being hit by flash flooding at the beginning of the year, an unusual cold weather has gripped the Southeastern and Northeastern Albania. The deteriorated weather has been so immediate it has left Albania face many challenges that come with it. After the heavy rains that flooded several regions in Albania, snow and frost have followed, while authorities warn all travelers to be more careful on the road and take the necessary measures.
The Ministry of Internal Affairs has officially warned everyone on the road to be more careful in the affected road axes that are facing the most problems, while warning that Albania will be hit by low temperatures as well as by heavy rains and snowfall in the coming days. The official announcement by The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) referring the bulletin by the Institute of GeoSciences, Energy, Water and Environment (IGEWE), predicts that Albania will continue to be under unusual low temperatures. Consequently, all national and rural roads above 200 m above the sea level will be affected by snow and frost.
Snowfall has already hit altitudes above 700 m, the Southern Albania on altitudes above 300m, and the Northern Albania on altitudes above 200 m. According to the IGEWE’s bulletin, the Northeastern and Southeastern Albania are expected to get hit the most by snow until Saturday, Jan 23. In the meantime, rainfalls are expected to have their highest amount in Shkodra, where they can go up to 90 mm. Simultaneously, in some other Albanian districts such as Tirana, Elbasan, Lezha, Kukes, and Dibra, rainfalls might go up to 45 mm.
To anticipate the difficult and problematic situations, MIA has instructed the prefects and the representatives of local authorities to take the necessary measures, especially in terms of maintenance of road sections, inspecting the readiness of vehicles, forces, and storage of granulated stone and salt segments on problematic segments,” according to the announcement by the Ministry of Interior Affairs, which added that local authorities are also advised to oversee the work of parties contracted for road maintenance and coordinate actions with groups set up by the prefect.
Heavy snow in the southeastern and northeastern part of the country are starting to cause the first problems, especially in the movement of vehicles. The latest data show that the southeast axes, especially in Qafe Thane and Qafe Plloce, where vehicles are having difficulties moving due to heavy snow. There have also been reported several problems on local roads in the southeastern part of Albania, while the national road is still open, but in some segments of it, drivers are warned to be more careful.
Snow has gripped the northeastern Albania as well, specifically the regions of Kukes and Dibra, which have received a covering of 10 cm on inhabited areas, and up to 30 cm in higher areas.
Meanwhile, it is reported that the national road as well as the Tiranà«- Peshkopi axes are open, while drivers are recommended to use chains on the road of Doda Peshkopi-Kala.
The Tiranà«-Peshkopi axes, and the area called Pishat dhe Gurà«t e Skà«ndà«rbeut in particular, are among the most dangerous roads due to glacier streets. The whole coming week is expected to bring very low temperatures that will range from minus 6 in the capital to minus 15 in the southeastern and northeastern part of Albania.
