First snow to bring hazardous driving conditions across Finland

Snow is forecast to spread across much of Finland towards the end of the week, bringing dangerous driving conditions in some areas, Yle reports.

A broad low-pressure system moving in from the southwest will affect the weather for several days. On Thursday afternoon, heavy rain is expected in southern and western Finland, while eastern and central parts of the country will see light, scattered sleet and snow. The precipitation will move northeast during the evening, with the rain-snow boundary roughly along a line from Vaasa to Joensuu.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute has issued warnings for poor driving conditions in several regions in central Finland. Conditions will be very poor in North Ostrobothnia and North Savo.

During the night into Friday, precipitation is expected to become more widespread and turn to snow further south. By Friday afternoon, snow is forecast across much of central Finland, while southern areas will see sleet and rain. Warnings for poor or very poor driving conditions are expected to extend across nearly the whole country.