People on a hot day at Aurinkolahti beach in Vuosaari, Helsinki. Photo: Antti Aimo-Koivisto / Lehtikuva
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Finland’s unprecedented heatwave has entered its 22nd consecutive day, with temperatures expected to exceed 30°C in parts of the north and west.
The Finnish Meteorological Institute said on Friday that the country had already experienced 21 straight days with temperatures above 30°C, marking the longest such stretch on record. The heat is expected to linger in Ostrobothnia and northern regions on Saturday.
While northern areas continue to bake, the south has begun to cool. A band of rain has moved through southern Finland, bringing daytime highs closer to 20°C. In central regions, the advancing front is generating heavy thunderstorms and scattered downpours.
Pia Isolähteenmäki, on duty at the Meteorological Institute, said storms are forming ahead of the weather front and are forecast to increase in intensity through Saturday afternoon and evening, especially in North Karelia and Ostrobothnia.
On Friday, storms caused widespread disruptions across southern and central Finland. Multiple fires were reported after lightning strikes, and strong winds brought down trees in South Karelia and Kymenlaakso. Emergency services responded to dozens of weather-related incidents.
The long-standing high-pressure system responsible for the heat is expected to weaken over the weekend. By Sunday, temperatures are likely to drop below 30°C nationwide, signalling an end to the record heatwave.
Early next week, daytime temperatures in southern and central Finland are forecast to hover around the heat threshold. Night-time conditions will begin to cool significantly, and in some areas, daily highs may fall below 20°C.
The Meteorological Institute has not issued heat warnings for next week, but thunderstorms and unstable conditions remain possible in the central parts of the country.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
