Ice dam causes rising water levels on Tornionjoki River in Finland

A significant ice dam has formed between Vuennonkoski and Matkakoski on the Tornionjoki River, leading to rising water levels. According to Timo Nyholm, a duty fire chief with the Lapland rescue department, while residential buildings are not in immediate danger, water has already reached the steps of structures along the riverbank, including saunas. Reports indicate that water has begun to flow on the Swedish side of the river.

Nyholm predicts that the conditions on the Tornionjoki will persist for some time. Niina Karjalainen, a leading water management expert from the Lapland ELY Center, attributes the ice formations to the warm late autumn and the strong currents experienced. She explains that the mild temperatures delayed the formation of ice covers, which are currently too thin to withstand the robust flows.

The autumn in Lapland has been particularly wet. Karjalainen notes that the river has seen stronger-than-usual currents since October. However, these currents are not sufficient to push the ice downstream, leading to the formation of ice dams. Light snowfall in late October and early November quickly melted, some of which flowed into the river.

Flooding is also forecasted for western and southern Finland. According to the Finnish Environment Institute and the ELY Centers, warmer temperatures are melting snowpacks, and rainfall expected early in the week is causing rivers to swell. Flooding is anticipated to reach at least average levels on various rivers, including those stretching from Satakunta to Vaasa, while smaller streams across southern Finland will likely overflow. In Porin, water levels are expected to exceed those seen during the spring flood, potentially isolating homes in Huittinen. Though eastern Finland is experiencing lower water levels than normal, other regions are reporting average levels. Recent precipitation in these areas has fallen as snow, not affecting lake levels.