Hot summer temperatures were measured in Finland this week, with a record seasonal high of 32.2 degrees Celsius measured in the northwest coastal city of Oulu on Friday, 7 June.
Another northwest coastal city was close behind, as 31.1 degrees Celsius was recorded in Kokkola.
Temperatures that surpassed 30C were also measured in the west coast cities of Vaasa and Pori, as well as the southern inland city of Tampere on Friday.
Yle meteorologist Matti Huutonen tweeted an image of Finland awash with the orange colours that indicate hot temperatures on Friday afternoon.
The forecast for Saturday and Sunday predicts that the high temperatures will continue through the weekend, with an addition of thunderstorms throughout the country.
The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) says storms will develop in the western and central parts of the country in the afternoon and evening. Heavy rains will fall, up to 20 mm per hour in some places, leading to possible flooding. The thunderstorms could bring severe weather to Lapland.
"The thunderclouds will start to gather at around noon; they could arrive quickly, too," says Ari Mustala, a FMI meteorologist.
The hottest temperatures in the country on Saturday will be in eastern areas, where the 30-degree mark is expected to be broken once again. Things are coolest in Lapland, but even there, the mercury will shoot up past 20 degrees.
Thunderstorms will continue in most areas on Sunday, with temperatures in the low twenties predicted for southern and western areas.