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Powerful rain front sweeps across Finland, bringing risk of urban flooding and driving hazards

Thursday 11th 2024 on 19:55 in  
Finland

A powerful rain front has arrived in Finland, moving eastwards over the country during the night. Before reaching the eastern parts, it is expected to drench almost the entire nation. The rain front initially hit the Turku region on Thursday evening and is gradually moving eastward, eventually reaching the eastern parts overnight. The rain is expected to intensify in the south during the night and later in the east, according to meteorologist Sara Salonen.

Individual showers may pour several millimeters of rain at once. In the southern and southeastern parts of the country, rainfall accumulation could rise to 10-30 millimeters, which Salonen warns could potentially lead to urban flooding. Similar rainfall figures are also expected in the northern parts of the country, primarily in Southern Lapland.

Wind warnings have also been issued for western Finland, with moderate inland winds blowing at 7 meters per second. Urban flooding is mainly expected in the southern parts of the country, such as Uusimaa and Kymenlaakso, where the Finnish Meteorological Institute has issued rain warnings.

Salonen highlights one issue for those in the rain areas to be prepared for, especially motorists: water may accumulate on roads, posing a risk of hydroplaning for those driving through larger puddles. It is particularly important to take this into account.

As the front moves eastward overnight, the heaviest rains will shift to the easternmost parts of the country. On Friday, the rest of Finland is expected to experience only isolated showers during the day. “Throughout the day, most of the rain from the east will also recede to the other side of the eastern border,” Salonen concludes.