Finland's stable high-pressure system is breaking down, with the Finnish Meteorological Institute forecasting widespread snow showers and a potential thaw by next weekend. Meteorologist Tuukka Keränen stated that several snow shower areas could affect Finland during the week, with a more significant snowfall possible around Friday. This shift marks a definitive end to the recent dry, cold spell that has dominated the country's weather pattern.
A Gradual Shift to Unsettled Conditions
According to Keränen, Monday will not see a major change compared to the weekend, with the weather easing only slightly. Isolated light snow flurries may occur in places, but otherwise, the calm frosty weather will continue. Cloud cover will be variable on Monday. “The sun may be visible in some places, but it is also likely to be quite cloudy over a large area,” Keränen reported. Daytime temperatures on Monday will settle between -5 and -8 degrees Celsius in the south. From central parts of the country to Lapland, temperatures will be around ten degrees below zero.
Tuesday will see temperatures remain at roughly the same level as Monday. Southern Finland will experience temperatures between -5 and -10 degrees Celsius. Central Finland is forecast to have temperatures around minus ten degrees. A band of light pack snow, accumulating roughly one to five centimeters, is possible on Tuesday in an area stretching from the Ostrobothnia regions to Central Finland. Driving conditions may deteriorate on Tuesday and Wednesday in the regions west of Central Finland. The maritime areas off Finland's coast have warnings for low sea water levels at the beginning of the week.
Focus Turns to the Weekend Forecast
The more significant change is expected later in the week. Keränen indicated that a stronger low-pressure system could bring not only heavier snowfall but also the possibility of a thaw by next weekend. Towards the end of the week, especially in Southern Finland, there is a chance of temperatures rising to around zero degrees Celsius. “The uncertainty is still quite great as to whether the whole country will remain on the freezing side or whether especially the southern coast will move to the mild side. A temporary thaw is at least possible,” Keränen estimated on Sunday. This introduces a period of meteorological instability, replacing the predictable, clear frosts.
Practical Implications for Daily Life
The coming week's weather presents a mix of continued winter conditions and a period of transition. Midweek snowfalls, particularly in central and western regions, will require drivers to be prepared for potentially slippery roads and reduced visibility. Municipalities in the affected areas will likely need to deploy plowing and salting resources to maintain road safety. The forecasted light snow accumulations of one to five centimeters on Tuesday are manageable but signal a shift in conditions.
The potential thaw and rise towards zero degrees Celsius by next weekend, if it materializes, would have broader implications. It could lead to slushy conditions on roads and sidewalks, increase the risk of icy surfaces in the morning and evening, and potentially affect winter sports conditions in the south. The uncertainty Keränen highlights is a key factor for transport authorities and event planners, who must prepare for two very different scenarios: a continuation of dry cold or a messy, mild interruption.
Regional Variations and Developments
The weather shift will not be uniform across the country. Southern Finland, particularly the coast, is most likely to experience the potential thaw and temperatures hovering around zero during the weekend. Central Finland will see the snow showers first, with colder temperatures holding for longer. Lapland and northern regions are expected to remain firmly in the grip of frost, away from the direct influence of the milder air associated with the predicted low-pressure system.
This regional divide is typical during transitional weather periods in Finland. The southern coastal areas are more susceptible to maritime influences from the Baltic Sea and Atlantic systems, which can push milder air northeastward. The interior and north are more shielded by continental air masses, allowing cold conditions to persist even as the south experiences a brief respite. The exact boundary between these air masses remains the core of the forecast uncertainty mentioned by the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
The institute's warnings for low sea water levels along the coast at the beginning of the week are a separate concern linked to persistent high pressure and wind conditions, unrelated to the incoming snow and potential thaw. This combination of factors underscores the complexity of the current forecast period, where multiple weather phenomena are occurring in sequence or concurrently across different parts of the country.
Looking Beyond the Seven-Day Forecast
While the focus is on the upcoming week, this pattern break often signals a more sustained period of unsettled, cyclonic weather common in late winter and early spring. The dominant high-pressure system, which provided clear skies and severe frosts, is relinquishing its control. This could lead to a more active weather pattern in the coming weeks, with increased precipitation—both as snow and, increasingly as the season progresses, as rain.
The Finnish Meteorological Institute continues to monitor the developments closely. Their forecasts are updated regularly as new data becomes available, reducing the uncertainty Keränen noted. For the public, the key takeaway is to prepare for a return of winter driving conditions midweek and to stay informed about the weekend outlook, which could swing from a snowy landscape to a slushy one, particularly in the southern third of the nation. The stable winter of the past weeks is giving way to a more dynamic and unpredictable phase.