A summer weather system dubbed Päivö is set to sweep across Finland from Tuesday, move into the east before veering north and bringing torrential showers and blustery winds.
Showers will be heaviest in southern and eastern Finland on Tuesday afternoon, although more than 30 millimetres of rain had already been reported in many areas even earlier in the day. By 1pm, places such as Joutsa, Lahti and Heinola had already recorded nearly 40 millimetres of precipitation, while Kittilä in the north had already see close to 65 millimetres of rainfall in the previous 24 hours.
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In normal circumstances in that region, rainfall for the entire month of June measures around 60 millimetres. Yle meteorologist Anniina Valtonen said that during the course of the evening the showers are expected to intensify, with eastern Finland bearing the brunt of the onslaught.
"Up to 100 millimetres of rain could fall in some areas in 24 hours. According to the forecast this could happen along the Mikkeli-Kajaani axis," she added.
Valtonen noted that because there will be a great deal of rainfall over a very short period, the long-parched soil will not be able to absorb all of the precipitation.
"There will likely be flooding in some built-up areas," she predicted.
Storm-force winds in the forecast
The storm system will bring high winds, with a warning for tempestuous gusts during the evening and overnight in North and South Savo as well as North Karelia.
According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) wind gusts are expected to reach up to 25 metres per second. The wind warnings will cover the period from 9pm onwards.
Meanwhile at sea, wind speeds had already reached up to 30 metres per second during the afternoon, Valtonen said. FMI has also issued alerts for stormy winds at sea.
On Wednesday the weather system will turn north, drenching the area with more rain. Conditions will continue to be unsettled in southern and central Finland, with heavy downpours and thunderstorms likely in some areas. Thursday’s weather will be drier, but still unsettled