Traces left by a wildfire in the terrain in Tuusula. Photo: Niilo Simojoki / Lehtikuva
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A dry start to the week will give way to unstable weather and gusty winds across Finland, increasing the risk of wildfires, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
High winds from the north are forecast to spread across the country starting Tuesday, pushing colder air into Finland and accelerating fire conditions in already dry regions. Meteorologist Iiris Idoko said the gusts could cause isolated wind damage and significantly increase the speed at which wildfires may spread.
A wildfire warning has been issued across a wide belt stretching from western Finland to Lapland, including North Karelia. Despite relatively warm and sunny conditions on Monday, the changing wind patterns and lack of rainfall have left forest and brush areas vulnerable to ignition.
By midweek, weather conditions are set to shift. Showers are expected in eastern and northern parts of the country on Tuesday. In northern Lapland, these could turn to snow or sleet. Scattered snow and sleet showers remain possible across Lapland and Koillismaa throughout the week.
A low-pressure system moving in from the southwest is expected to reach southern Finland by Wednesday, bringing instability and precipitation.
Later in the week, rainfall in central and southern Finland is likely to ease the current fire danger. The meteorological institute expects more widespread rain to arrive by the weekend, which would help reduce ground dryness and fire risk.
While conditions may improve in the coming days, officials are urging the public to take fire warnings seriously. Lighting fires, even in designated areas, is strongly discouraged in the regions currently under warning.
HT
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Source: www.helsinkitimes.fi
