The Finnish Meteorological Institute has issued a storm warning for land and sea areas of Finland on Thursday.
The most powerful gusts of wind are expected after noon on Thursday on the north coast of Ostrobothnia and Satakunta with gusts expected to reach storm readings of up to 25 metres per second and accompanied by heavy rainfall.
“When wind gusts blow more than 25 metres per second, it can take down power and trees,” says Yle meteorologist Matti Huutonen.
The strong winds are expected to move towards central Finland in the afternoon and closer to the eastern border in the evening.
As the strong low pressure system arrives over Finland, it will likely bring heavy rains and strong gusts of wind that fell trees and lead to power cuts, especially in Ostrobothnia and northern Satakunta.
As Friday and Saturday are set to be frosty, with temperatures near zero throughout the country, Huutonen cautions pedestrians and drivers to be prepared for slippery sidewalks and roads.
In Ostrobothnia, the forecast calls for more than 30 millimetres of rain, which may cause some rivers to overflow.
Snow is also in store on Thursday with up to 20 centimetres for Southern Lapland and Koillismaa in Northern Ostrobothnia. Southern Finland can expect snow to fall slightly later, on Friday night.