Stockholm/Helsinki - A weekend blizzard blanketed eastern Sweden and southern Finland, causing cancellations and delays at Stockholm's Arlanda Airport and Helsinki's Vantaa airport on Monday.

Arlanda was temporarily closed Sunday evening due to the heavy snowfall along with strong sidewinds and icy conditions.

Delays and cancellations continued Monday as both airports only used one runway due to the snowfall.

Airport officials advised travellers to expect some delays as the strong northerly winds were not expected to subside until later Monday.

Local bus services were cancelled Monday morning around Norrtalje, just north of Stockholm and motorists experienced slippery driving conditions in the greater Stockholm area.

Commuter train services were also impacted by the snowfall in the Helsinki area, and delays were reported for intercity trains.

Some schools were closed in the province of Uppland, north of Stockholm and on the Baltic Sea island of Gotland, local radio reported, citing that school buses were unable to negotiate the snowy roads.

Power cuts impacted several thousand households in both Finland and Sweden. (dpa)