Finland will see dry and cold conditions during the first winter holiday week, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute.

Forecasts issued on 12 February show daytime temperatures between -5°C and -15°C across most of the country.

Night-time readings will fall further under clear skies. In southern areas, temperatures will drop to between -15°C and -20°C. In central and northern regions, lows of -20°C to -30°C are expected.

A high-pressure system over Finland during the Valentine’s Day weekend will strengthen the frost.

Temperatures below -20°C are forecast widely in central and northern parts during mornings and evenings. In the south, a moderate northerly wind from Friday evening to Saturday afternoon will increase wind chill.

The institute expects sunshine in many areas over the weekend.

“Good conditions for outdoor activities are expected widely, as long as people dress warmly. Dry and cold weather also means good driving conditions for the start of the winter holiday traffic,” said meteorologist Oskari Rockas.

Cloud cover will vary during the week and precipitation will remain limited. The highest risk of occasional snowfall falls at the start of the week in northern Finland.

The year has begun with temperatures below seasonal averages across the country. In early February, deviations of 5°C to 10°C below average have been recorded in most regions outside Lapland.

A high-pressure centre has remained over northern Europe for an extended period. The pattern has brought cold and low precipitation.

Despite the cold start to the year, snow depth remains below average in many areas.

In eastern provinces, snow levels are low for the time of year. In North Karelia, snow depth stands at about 20 centimetres. The long-term average for the region is 20 to 35 centimetres higher.

Southern and central Finland report snow depths between 5 and 30 centimetres. In Lapland and northern Kainuu, depths range from 40 to 80 centimetres.

In parts of southern Finland, snow levels are close to average. In eastern Lapland, some areas report above-average snow depth.

HT