Warnings for thunderstorms and heavy rain have been issued across many areas of Finland as temperatures above 30 °C persist, with potential for hail, strong gusts and local flooding.
A powerful lightning storm struck Luleå’s coast overnight, and local resident Maja Granberg filmed multiple bursts of lightning from her balcony. Meteorologist Charlotta Eriksson notes that such a high number of discharges is uncommon.
A persistent heatwave in Finland is fueling dense blue-green algae blooms in the Baltic Sea’s Gulf of Finland and Archipelago Sea, with freshwater sightings remaining stable.
Temperatures in Rovaniemi exceeded 30 °C this week, drawing coverage from Reuters and CNN as the Finnish Meteorological Institute warned that Lapland’s all-time heat record could be broken.
A weather station in Vihti, Southern Finland recorded an unprecedented 18°C on Wednesday, marking the highest reading for this time of year in recorded Finnish history, though colder weather is forecast later in the week.
The Finnish Meteorological Institute reports that Finland’s average temperature in the first quarter of the 21st century was 1.4°C higher than during 1975–1999, with January in the south and central regions being unusually mild.
Central Finland is expected to experience winter temperatures approximately 10 degrees Celsius higher than average due to a warm front influenced by Atlantic low pressure and Central European winds.
The northwest coastal city of Oulu was one of several that had over 30-degree Celsius temperatures on Friday.
Observations From Members 