Finland is heading towards a warmer and drier spell next week as high pressure is expected to build after several days of rain, cloud and strong winds, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
The change will come after an unsettled end to the week, with a low-pressure system moving in from the southeast and bringing more rain across the country. Conditions are expected to gradually improve as high pressure strengthens near Finland, reducing rainfall and creating more opportunities for sunshine.
The biggest temperature change is likely to be felt in southern Finland, where daytime temperatures could rise noticeably above the seasonal average when the sun comes out.
“On a sunny day, the temperature in the south next week could rise well above 15 degrees, which is clearly warmer than usual for this time of year,” Finnish Meteorological Institute meteorologist Oskari Rockas said.
The forecast also suggests that the drier conditions could continue beyond next week, although confidence decreases as the forecast period becomes longer. Rockas said there are indications of a more prolonged dry spell, but the details remain uncertain.
The immediate outlook is considerably wetter. Daytime temperatures across much of Finland will remain between 10 C and 15 C for the rest of this week, while overnight temperatures are expected to range from about 5 C to 12 C.
Northern Lapland will experience colder conditions, particularly during clear nights. Temperatures there are expected to approach freezing, with frost possible in some locations.
Rain will remain a major feature of the weather before the expected improvement. Most parts of Finland could receive between 10 and 25 millimetres of rainfall during the remainder of the week, although locally higher amounts are possible.
Rain on Friday is expected to concentrate on southern parts of the country, followed by another weather system that will move across Finland from south to north later in the weekend.
Cloudy skies will dominate much of the country over the coming days, although some areas will see temporary breaks. Central Finland has the best chance of sunshine on Friday.
A clearer change is expected from Sunday, when conditions should begin improving from the west as the final rain system moves eastwards.
The same low-pressure system will also bring stronger winds, with the most notable effects expected over southern sea areas. Gusty conditions may occur across southern and eastern Finland, particularly along the coast, Rockas said.
For much of the country, the forecast therefore points to a marked change in conditions within a few days: a wet and windy end to the week followed by increasing sunshine and temperatures that could feel unusually mild for the time of year, especially in southern Finland.
