The transport authority plans to reduce train speed for twelve railway sections to 80 kilometres per hour to reduce the risk of derailment due to "sun curves," a phenomenon where the heat of the sun bends tracks.

“At the moment, this only applies during parts of Thursday, but we are continuously monitoring the weather situation and the safety measures we are implementing can change quickly,” said Swedish Transport Administration spokesperson Peter Jonsson in a press release.

Paved roads are also affected. The heat increases the risk of “bleeding asphalt,” where the road surface becomes slippery as the asphalt binder softens, expands, and pushes up to the road surface as wet spots.

The Swedish Transport Administration sands when necessary but at the same time encourages increased caution.

Scientists have shown that recurring heatwaves are a clear marker of global warming primarily caused by burning coal, oil and gas – and warn they are set to become more frequent, longer and more intense.