Warnings on hot and cold weather

Heat wave warning is issued if stifling hot weather, lasting at least for three days, has been forecast for some area in Finland. Similarly, severe cold weather must persist for three days. In addition to severe frost, a warning can be issued for a high chill factor, which means the combined effect of frost and wind. Early warnings pertaining to hot or cold weather are drawn up for periods lasting up to five days.

The 24-hour warnings associated with extreme temperatures have three risk levels:

• Heat wave warning:
  • maximum daily temperature 27,30 and 35 degrees at least on three consecutive days.
• A warning on cold weather, when the temperature is:
  • -20, -30 or -35 degrees in Southern Finland;
  • -25, -35 or -40 degrees in Central Finland;
  • -30, -40 or -45 degrees in Northern Finland.

Early warnings pertaining to hot and cold weather are compiled for periods extending up to five days. The warning limits for early warnings are the same as those above, but only the two lowest risk levels are in use.

The warnings associated with extreme temperatures were adopted in spring 2011. One reason for the warnings is to mitigate the adverse health effects caused by cold and hot weather.

The warnings in force can be checked on the warnings page. On the map, warnings on hot weather are indicated by a red thermometer and warnings on cold weather by a blue thermometer. Read more about early warnings, which are also issued for hot and cold weather spells.