Warm and dusty weather brings relief for allergy sufferers next week

Rain arriving midweek will cleanse the air of dust and pollen, Finland’s public broadcaster Yle reports, offering temporary relief for allergy and asthma sufferers.

Meteorologist Anniina Valtonen of Yle describes the weekend as “very spring-like and sunny” across much of the country, with temperatures reaching up to 10°C in southern regions. Central Finland will see slightly more cloud cover, but conditions will remain largely dry.

Winds will strengthen on Sunday and Monday, particularly along the Bothnian Bay coast, where gusts from the sea may lower temperatures by several degrees compared to inland areas. Light rain is expected to move across southern Finland from west to east between Monday night and Tuesday.

Tuesday will bring sunny, windy, and dry conditions again, with clear signs of spring. Prolonged dry weather and minimal snow have led to dusty streets, reducing air quality. Alder trees are already in full bloom in the south, and wind is carrying pollen further afield.

“Allergy and asthma sufferers are certainly reacting by now—some may be quite uncomfortable,” Valtonen notes. However, she predicts minor relief by midweek as rain arrives from the west. While Lapland and parts of northern Savo, Karelia, and Kainuu will initially see snow, precipitation will quickly turn to rain.

“A solid amount of rain is expected, which will definitely clear the dusty air,” Valtonen says, though she stresses this does not signal a return to winter. Daytime temperatures will remain above freezing.