A shift in Finland’s weather will begin on Friday as a broad low pressure system moves in from the west, ending weeks of dry and settled conditions.

The system will first reach Lapland, bringing snowfall to the north. The Finnish Meteorological Institute said the snow amounts in Lapland will remain modest, though light powder snow may reduce visibility on roads during Saturday night and again on Sunday morning.

During the weekend, temperatures in central parts of the country will range between minus 5 and minus 15 degrees Celsius.

In the north, readings will stay mostly between minus 10 and minus 20 degrees. Clear skies at night may still bring lower temperatures.

On Saturday, milder air will spread across the country. Snowfall will become more widespread, with the heaviest falls expected in southern regions. The precipitation will begin as light snow in many areas before intensifying towards the evening.

The change in air mass will push temperatures close to zero along the southern coast.

Forecasters warned that the milder conditions may create icy surfaces before the main snowfall arrives. Freezing drizzle is also expected in some areas ahead of the heavier precipitation. By evening, the snow will extend into eastern Finland.

“By Sunday, snow accumulations in the south will reach mainly between five and ten centimetres. In Lapland, up to just over five centimetres of light powder snow will fall during Saturday,” said Vendi Pelkonen, duty meteorologist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute.

The low pressure system will also strengthen winds across southern and central Finland. Combined with falling snow, this will weaken driving conditions in many areas.

The timing coincides with the start and end of winter holiday travel across the country. Authorities expect the snowfall and changing road surfaces to affect both outbound and return traffic. Pedestrians may also face slippery pavements in places.

According to the latest forecast, the more uniform snowfall will retreat to eastern Finland by Sunday morning and move eastwards out of the country by the afternoon. Northern Lapland is likely to receive further light snowfall on Sunday morning as another low pressure system approaches.

A new system is also forecast to reach southern Finland by Sunday evening, bringing further snow.

Early next week, colder air will return to the south. Forecasters expect conditions to remain unsettled, with alternating periods of snowfall and clearer intervals.

HT