Snowplough in action in Helsinki on 16 December 2024. The weather in Finland is warming today, with increasing cloud cover due to southern winds. The rapid rise in temperature is making roads slippery, causing poor or very poor driving conditions across the country, except in eastern Lapland. LEHTIKUVA
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Finland is bracing for severe winter conditions as a snowstorm blankets the south and west, while temperatures in Lapland drop to record lows. Meteorologists are warning of hazardous driving conditions and disruptions to infrastructure as the country faces the harshest weather of the season.
The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) reported that a fast-moving snowstorm hit western Finland on Sunday evening, moving eastward overnight.
By early Monday morning, up to 12 centimetres of snow had fallen in southern and central regions. In the east, snowfall is expected to continue into Monday evening.
Hannu Valta, an FMI meteorologist, warned that strong winds and fluctuating temperatures could worsen the blizzard. “The snow will be heavy at times, making driving conditions extremely poor,” Valta said. Warnings have been issued for treacherous road conditions across much of southern and central Finland.
Road safety officials are urging drivers to stay cautious. Several accidents were reported in Pirkanmaa and Central Finland, where cars skidded off icy roads. Pertti Törni, a traffic operator from Traficom, advised, “If you must drive, do so cautiously. It’s safer to stay off the roads.”
In the Helsinki region, public transport faced minor disruptions over the weekend. The Helsinki Regional Transport Authority (HSL) reported some bus cancellations and delays. Saana Lehtinen, HSL spokesperson, noted, “We’ve had a few cancellations, but overall, services are running as planned.”
The snowfall also strained power infrastructure, particularly in Pirkanmaa and Häme. Electricity provider Elenia warned of potential power outages caused by heavy, wet snow accumulating on trees and damaging power lines. Repairs could be delayed due to the difficult terrain and limited daylight.
Meanwhile, in Lapland, temperatures plummeted to record lows. On Sunday, Savukoski recorded a chilling -35.6 degrees Celsius, breaking the winter’s previous low of -34.4 degrees set the day before. Forecasters expect the cold to persist in the north, with temperatures ranging from -20 to -30 degrees.
The extreme cold is impacting tourists in northern Finland. Andrei Cristian, a visitor from Romania, reconsidered venturing outdoors at Rovaniemi Airport. “I thought about having a cigarette, but not anymore,” he said, despite wearing thermal clothing.
As the week progresses, a brief warming trend is expected in southern Finland, with temperatures rising to around 5 degrees Celsius by Thursday. However, Valta cautioned that the milder temperatures might not be enough to melt the recent snowfall entirely. “We may still see a white Christmas in most of Finland,” he said.
Despite the brief thaw, colder weather is forecast to return later in the week. Meteorologists warned that uncertainty remains, particularly with the possibility of sudden warm air currents affecting the forecast.
Residents are advised to remain vigilant, whether driving on slippery roads or navigating icy pavements. Authorities continue to monitor the situation closely, ready to respond to further disruptions caused by Finland’s intense winter weather.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
