Southern Finland due for snowiest Christmas in decades

Those hoping for a white Christmas in Finland need not fret.

Most of the country can expect snow over the holidays, but exceptionally deep snow cover is adding seasonal atmosphere in Uusimaa, Kymenlaakso and Häme regions.

At Helsinki-Vantaa airport, the snow is now 55 centimetres deep. Only 1965 saw deeper snow on Christmas eve—that year Vantaa was blanketed with 78 centimetres of the white stuff.

Although the capital has abundant snow at the moment, the Arctic Lapland province remains Finland’s snowiest region.

So far this year, the Meteorological Institute has measured Finland’s deepest snow at Kittilä’s Kenttärova observation point (62cm) and at Enontekiö’s Karesuvanto station (60cm).

In addition to Lapland and Helsinki-Vantaa, Anjala also has more than half a metre of snow cover, with 51 centimetres. Temperatures are expected to remain well below freezing up to Christmas with some further snowfall possible.

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