New installation extends Finland’s radar network

The new radar built in Northern Karelia will significantly improve the weather radar service in the region of Eastern Finland. After the building of the latest radar, Finland's weather radar network will consist of nine radar stations. The Finnish Meteorological Institute's other weather radars are located in Korppoo, Vantaa, Anjalankoski, Ikaalinen, Kuopio, Utajärvi, Vimpeli and Luostotunturi in Sodankylä. The radar tower at Kesälahti is 30.6 metres tall and the total height will be 36 metres including the radome.

Radar makes forecasting poor traffic conditions easier

The observations made by the new weather radar will support the Finnish Meteorological Institute's weather service across the country, but the improvement in service level will be seen most in Eastern Finland. The worst summer storms and low snowfall in winter, which can only be seen using weather radar, most frequently come from the direction of Lake Ladoga. The Kesälahti radar will enable these phenomena to be spotted several hours earlier than is currently possible.

Weather radar is an important observation tool when forecasting rapidly changing weather conditions, and it will enable effective observations of regional precipitation. The new radar will improve short range weather forecasts in particular, and make it easier to forecast the timing and amounts of winter snowfall which will be of particular benefit to freight traffic on the Finnish national road 6. Radar data will also be of benefit to air traffic, highway maintenance, agriculture and the security authorities.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute produces weather radar pictures for its own use, as well as for general use and use by its clients. Radar pictures have become a familiar part of TV weather forecasts, for example, and can be seen on the Finnish Meteorological Institute's web pages.

Further information:

Researcher Mikko Kurri, tel. +358 (0)50 433 8163, mikko.kurri@fmi.fiDevelopment manager Keijo Leminen, tel. +358 (0)9 1929 5700, keijo.leminen@fmi.fi

Precipitation regions in Finland: http://ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/sade-ja-pilvialueet

Central Finland precipitation regions http://ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/sade-ja-pilvialueet/suomen-keskiosa

Zoomable map: http://ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/sadealueet-suomessa

Watch Mikko Kurri's interview on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kb7kIahxWxY