Around 30 cm of snow fell overnight in the Stockholm area between Tuesday and Wednesday and the weather office warned another 20 cm was on the way.

"There are a limited number of flights out of Arlanda (the main airport) but no arrivals. There are no departures or arrivals from Bromma (a smaller airport closer to the city centre)," said a spokeswoman for airport operator Swedavia.

Arlanda's airport's website itself was so busy due to worried travellers trying to check the traffic situation that people were put in a queue to view it.

The foundation which oversees the 8 million crown Nobel prizes said several laureates were due to arrive in Stockholm on Wednesday. This week sees a series of news conferences and lectures, in the run up to the formal handing over of the prizes and a gala banquet on Monday. (Reporting by Patrick Lannin; Editing by Alistair Scrutton)

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