People having a picnic at Tokoinranta in Helsinki on May Day, 1 May 2024. This year, May Day will be celebrated in cool weather. Photo: Heikki Saukkomaa / Lehtikuva
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Finland is bracing for an unseasonably cold and wet May Day, as meteorologists warn that celebrations across the country will be marked by freezing nights and frequent rain showers.
According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, temperatures on May Day could reach 10 to 12 degrees Celsius during the day in southern parts of the country. However, the probability of showers remains about 30 percent. Hannu Valta, meteorologist at the Institute, said that uncertainties still persist in forecast models, particularly regarding weather on May Day Eve.
In Tampere, where engineering students traditionally hold their celebratory “teekkarikaste” baptism, participants are already prepared to get wet. The public, however, is advised to bring raincoats for the festivities, especially in Ratinanniemi, the new location for the event.
Valta explained that the May Day Eve will be chilly and cloudy, with daytime highs around 8 to 10 degrees Celsius. He warned that overnight temperatures between May Day Eve and May Day could dip below freezing, urging partygoers to dress warmly.
Elsewhere in Finland, weather conditions are expected to be even harsher. MTV meteorologist Markus Mäntykannas reported that a sharp divide exists across the country, with spring-like temperatures in the south and winter conditions in the north. In Lapland, temperatures could drop by 10 degrees over short distances, creating challenging travel conditions.
Mäntykannas noted that a rain system from Sweden will arrive for May Day Eve, bringing widespread rain to southern and southwestern Finland, with the possibility of sleet in some areas. He advised those attending the traditional crowning of the Havis Amanda statue in Helsinki to prepare for cold and wet conditions, recommending umbrellas and even winter coats.
During the night between Wednesday and Thursday, temperatures are expected to fall below freezing across the country, reaching as low as minus 15 degrees in clear areas of Lapland.
On May Day itself, a new rain system is forecast to move over Central Finland, while some northern regions could see clearer skies. Daytime temperatures will generally hover around 10 degrees, far from the seasonal norms.
Yle meteorologist Elina Suorsa confirmed that the west and south will bear the brunt of the rain, while the east and north can expect drier conditions. She warned that anyone planning outdoor picnics should come prepared with waterproof clothing, as rain showers are likely in many areas during the day.
Suorsa offered practical advice for dressing up for May Day activities: a hat, sunglasses tucked into a pocket, a raincoat layered over a warm jacket, insulated trousers, and waterproof boots.
Long-term forecasts suggest that Finland will remain under the influence of a cold low-pressure system well into May, with no signs of a return to warmer, summer-like weather. Both snow and sleet showers are expected to continue sporadically, keeping daytime highs below 10 degrees across much of the country.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
