Weather alerts issued as snowfall and strong winds impact Finland this week

The weather is set to become increasingly wintry as we move into the latter part of the week. Northern regions have already experienced significant snowfall, with some areas receiving up to eight centimeters overnight and in the morning. Due to the snowfall, driving conditions are expected to be poor. However, as the evening approaches, the precipitation will shift to the eastern part of the country, and the weather will begin to clear from the west, according to meteorologist Elias Paakkanen.

On Wednesday, strong winds will impact a large portion of the country, with the most powerful gusts noticeable over the Bothnian Sea and its coastline, reaching speeds of over 20 meters per second in some locations.

With concerns for Central Finland, Thursday will bring a temporary reprieve from rain during the day. However, the next low-pressure system is set to arrive in Finland by Thursday evening, bringing rain especially to the southern and central regions. In Central and Eastern Finland, precipitation will primarily fall as snow and sleet, while those in the south and along the western coast can expect rain. There is still some uncertainty regarding the trajectory of this low-pressure system.

Residents in Central Finland are advised to prepare for a switch to winter tires, as considerable snowfall is anticipated overnight into Friday. For further weather updates, visit the Yle weather pages.