Significant storm causes damage across Gulf of Bothnia as winds reach 30.3 meters per second

A significant storm hit the Gulf of Bothnia on Friday, with wind gusts reaching impressive speeds. According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the strongest gusts were recorded at Kemin Ajoks, where winds peaked at 28.1 meters per second. Hailuodon Marjaniemä experienced even stronger winds, reaching 30.3 meters per second before noon. Kemi-Tornio Airport also reported extreme gusts around midday.

The storm uprooted trees, leading the Lapland Rescue Service to respond to four incidents related to storm damage. Fallen trees were reported in both Tornio and Rovaniemi, with two of them impacting power lines. Utility companies worked promptly to remove the trees from the lines, while the rescue service focused on clearing two trees that had fallen onto the road. Fortunately, Kemi-Tornio Airport stated that flight operations remained unaffected by the high winds.

According to duty meteorologist Antti Jylhä-Ollila, conditions are expected to calm down by evening. “Winds will weaken quite rapidly after 4 PM, and it should settle by 6 PM,” he noted. Earlier in the day, the Finnish Meteorological Institute had issued a warning for strong winds affecting land areas in Kemi, Keminmaa, Simo, Tervola, and Tornio. The winds observed on Friday were remnants of Hurricane Kirki, arriving in Finland as typical Atlantic low pressure systems.