New radar in Saariselkä transforms weather monitoring in northern Lapland

A new weather radar installed on Kaunispää in Saariselkä has exceeded expectations, significantly improving weather monitoring in northern Lapland, reports Finnish public broadcaster Yle.

The radar, operational for 15 months, detects hazardous weather such as approaching thunderstorms earlier than before, according to Mikko Kurri, a radar expert at the Finnish Meteorological Institute. It covers a 250-kilometre radius, serving multiple airports including Ivalo, Kittilä, and Enontekiö.

In winter, the radar enhances aviation safety by providing advance warnings of adverse flight conditions. Meteorologist Johanna Ruotsalainen noted that the data also improves wildfire alerts by enabling precise rainfall estimates, aiding fire and rescue authorities. Road maintenance benefits from early information on precipitation timing and volume.

Kaunispää was chosen for its existing infrastructure, allowing the radar to blend into the landscape. The station features the latest transmitter, receiver, and software, making it Finland’s most advanced. The country now has 12 weather radars, with Lapland previously served by only one in Luosto.

The radar also captures unexpected phenomena, such as swarms of millions of insects. Researcher Nadja Weisshaupt explained that insects become visible when they fly at sufficient altitude and density—around 10 million aphids or fewer larger insects like mosquitoes. Ideal conditions—warm, calm weather with good flight visibility—produce the clearest readings, with swarms detectable up to 100 kilometres away at heights of one kilometre or more.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute is currently analysing insect data from all 12 radars, with results expected this year or next. Finland is the only European country using a classification algorithm that processes both insect and bird radar echoes, offering unique insights into airborne species.