Hurricane recorded in Finland as winter storm Jari causes chaos across the country

Strong winds have wreaked considerable havoc this autumn. For the first time, a hurricane was recorded in Finland at the beginning of November. Recently, a winter storm named Jari has struck the country, hitting hard on Wednesday and Thursday. During the night leading into Thursday, winds exceeded 34 meters per second in the Gulf of Bothnia, particularly in Kalajoki. Inland areas also experienced powerful gusts, with Sotkamo reporting winds of 26.6 meters per second in the morning.

The intensity of the storm has resulted in fallen trees blocking roads and downing power lines, while weaker structures may also sustain damage. According to meteorologists, an orange level on weather warning maps indicates that significant damage is likely when winter gusts exceed 25 meters per second, and in summer, 20 meters per second. Winds exceeding 28 meters per second are considered exceptional in inland areas, apart from mountainous regions.

Meteorologists advise against venturing out under such extreme conditions, especially when winds are forecasted to exceed 30 meters per second. While safety precautions are recommended, so far conditions have not been severe enough to completely prevent outdoor activities.