After a cool spell, the weather in Finland has taken a summery turn since the beginning of the week, and the same trend is set to continue.
"On Wednesday afternoon, temperatures may rise above the 25-degree mark in many places," said Yle meteorologist Elias Paakkanen.
As on Tuesday, Wednesday's warmest weather will be in the northern part of Finnish Lapland. On Tuesday, the temperature record for July so far was measured at Kevo in Utsjoki, with thermometers reading 29.2 degrees Celsius. Similar highs can be expected on Wednesday in Utsjoki, the nation's northernmost municipality.
In Western Finland, the temperatures will be around 25 degrees on Wednesday. In the east, upper cloud cover will keep readings below 25.
Thursday could bring showers to some eastern and northern areas. In any case, it will generally be cloudier than Wednesday. In areas with overcast and damp conditions, temperatures will remain below 20 degrees, but sunny regions will again pass the 25-degree point.
"There may be a temperature difference of up to 10 degrees between Joensuu and Jyväskylä, as thick cloud cover keeps the east cool," said Paakkanen.
There is a forest-fire alert in parts of Lapland and in southwest Finland, where there is also a warning of high ultraviolet radiation, with a UV rating of 6.
On Friday, the north and east will be a bit cooler with a chance of rain in some areas, but the weekend should offer mostly dry, sunny weather.
"The sunniest areas will be in southern and central Finland. It will mostly be nice summer weather, but there's still a chance of rain in some parts," said Paakkanen.