30-degree mark broken for first time this year in Finland

The 30-degree Celsius mark was broken for the first time this year in Finland on Wednesday, Yle meteorologist Aleksi Lohtander said. Ilomantsi in eastern Finland recorded 30.2 degrees Celsius.

According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the 30-degree reading is unusually early for the year. Only in 2014 and 2021 has the threshold been passed earlier, both times on 19 May.

On Tuesday, temperatures above 25 degrees were recorded for the first time this year at over ten measuring stations in eastern Finland.

On Wednesday, the hot area stretched further than the day before, covering parts of eastern Finland from South Karelia to Kainuu. The country’s first heat warning of the year was issued for North Karelia.

The heat is expected to be short-lived. Later in the week, weather is set to become more unsettled across a wider area, although temperatures will remain summer-like.