Heavy rainfall causes flooding concerns in southeast Finland

By admin On Jul 8, 2025

A cyclist avoids puddles in Töölö, Helsinki, on the morning of 8 July 2025. Heavy rain has been forecast for Tuesday. The heaviest rainfall is expected in the southeast, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute. Photo: Roni Rekomaa / Lehtikuva

A major rain system from the south moved into Finland on Tuesday, bringing extended rainfall to southern and eastern parts of the country.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute issued a warning for southeastern Finland, where total rainfall during the day could reach 50 millimetres. Prolonged precipitation may lead to localised flooding, though forecasters expect no extreme storm developments.

Jani Sorsa, a duty meteorologist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, said in a statement on Monday evening that the rain was not intense at any moment but would last long enough to accumulate significant totals.

Rainfall began early on Tuesday and was forecast to continue throughout the day in eastern Finland. In the south, conditions were expected to start clearing by the afternoon.

Temperature differences were evident across the country. The heaviest rain kept daytime highs below 15 degrees Celsius in southeastern and eastern regions. Western and central Finland recorded temperatures around 20 degrees. In Lapland, values ranged from 13 to 20 degrees. Some southern areas with sunshine reached close to 20 degrees.

Matti Huutonen, meteorologist at Yle, said the rain was part of a larger system moving in from the south. He confirmed that the southeast would be affected most severely. The heaviest rainfall was expected to occur throughout Tuesday in these regions.

“The rainfall may be heavy at times in some places, but it doesn’t look like there will be any major low-pressure problems,” Huutonen said in a Tuesday broadcast.

According to data from the Finnish Meteorological Institute, southeastern Finland has experienced above-average rainfall throughout the summer. Rain has been recorded almost daily or every other day across the region. Southern and eastern parts have received the highest totals so far, while northern areas, including Lapland, have been drier by comparison.

Meteorologists forecast that weather will improve nationwide by Wednesday. Cloud cover may linger in the east and north, but clearer skies are expected in the west and south. Drier air is likely to dominate through Thursday.

Forecast models indicate a sharp rise in temperatures after the rain system passes. Huutonen said weekend highs could exceed 25 degrees Celsius, meeting the Finnish definition of hot weather. The increase in heat may also lead to thunderstorms in parts of the country.

Despite the rain, transportation across the country remained unaffected as of Tuesday afternoon. Bus and rail services operated normally, including major routes at Helsinki’s Pasila station. Local authorities continue to monitor urban areas for signs of water accumulation, especially in low-lying regions of southeast Finland.

Meteorologists advised residents to remain alert for local flooding, especially in areas with poor drainage or near small rivers. No formal evacuation orders or emergency measures were reported.

According to Tuesday’s forecasts, Finland’s unsettled summer pattern is expected to give way to a brief period of warmer and more stable conditions. Temperatures are likely to stay elevated into the weekend, though short storms could interrupt otherwise dry days.

Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi