Finland breaks summer heat record as Pyhtää hits 30.3°C amid thunderstorms and flood risks

Finland is set to experience a widespread heatwave this weekend, with temperatures expected to exceed 30 degrees Celsius in parts of southern and eastern Finland, including South Karelia and Kymenlaakso. The warm spell has already affected nearly the entire nation, with only Northern Lapland expected to remain cooler. The Finnish Meteorological Institute has issued heat warnings for a belt stretching from Kainuu to Uusimaa via eastern Finland, as well as for Sunday in regions south of a line from Satakunta to North Karelia. Ilta-Sanomat reports that a warning is issued when the day’s highest temperature reaches at least 27 degrees and the daily average temperature exceeds 20 degrees. Additionally, flood warnings have been issued for Uusimaa, Kanta-Häme, Päijät-Häme, Pirkanmaa, Satakunta, Southwest Finland, and Kymenlaakso due to the risk of heavy rainfall and potential flooding on Sunday (Ilta-Sanomat).