Heavy rain threatens Finland’s packed event weekend

Finland’s busiest weekend of the year kicks off under heavy rain warnings, with downpours and thunderstorms expected across much of the country, according to national broadcaster Yle.

Forecasters at the Finnish Meteorological Institute predict persistent showers and storms for central, western, and Lapland regions on Friday, shifting south and central by Saturday and Sunday. Lapland may see clearer skies by the weekend.

Temperatures will hover around 20°C nationwide. Meteorologist Petri Hoppula advises festivalgoers to pack waterproof gear and, for muddy fields, rubber boots.

The weekend still hosts dozens of major events, including the Ruisrock festival in Turku, the Imatra Rapids races, and the World Wife-Carrying Championships in Sonkajärvi. Southwestern Finland may fare slightly better, with possible dry spells in Turku by Sunday, according to Yle meteorologist Anne Borgström.

Yle lists 38 events across 16 regions, from music festivals and sports competitions to cultural gatherings.