Finland may be in for some real signs of spring in the coming days, as it looks like the weather will warm up toward the Easter holiday weekend. An extensive high-pressure front is expected to move across the country, creating clear and even sunny days, according to Yle meteorologist Joonas Koskela.
"If our forecast holds true, the next time we'll get rain clouds isn't until the end of next week," Koskela said.
Saturday and Sunday will see cloud cover, but the days will be dry with the sun occasionally peeking out. The weekend will be sunnier further north.
"Tomorrow, Saturday the high temperature will go over five degrees Celsius in the west, where Sunday will bring highs of about 10 degrees, and continue to rise from there," Koskela said.
But the forecaster predicts that next week's warmest day will be Thursday, 18 April, when daytime temperatures will likely exceed 15 degrees Celsius.
Meteorologists can't see past Eastertide, and night-time temperatures will still drop below zero even in the south. It won't be until the end of next week that night frost will abate, said Koskela.
Goodbye, snow?
A cold snap started off the week on Monday, so while southern regions are largely snowless, more than 80 cm of snow is still on the ground in the north.
Snow cover of up to half a metre can still be seen in central Finland, too – but maybe not for long.
"Even with night frost, the forecast says that by Sunday next week the snow cover is likely to evaporate in central areas, but I can't promise anything," Koskela said.