Avalanche warning in Arctic Finland

Yle News
Posted: Monday, February 2, 2015 at 18:33 — Last Updated: Tuesday, February 3, 2015 at 21:32
0 Comments

Skiers at the Lapland resort of Ylläs are warned not to go off-piste unaccompanied. (Ville Laakso / Yle)

Heavy snow has created an “exceptionally high” risk of snowslides in northern Finland, meteorologists say, with skiers at popular resorts warned not to go off-piste without an experienced guide.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute has warned of an exceptionally high risk of avalanches in the Lapland mountains.

Following a band of heavy snowfall which moved across the country from the south, the institute said that many ski resorts are also at high risk of cascading snow drifts, including the popular centres Ruka, Ylläs and Levi.

The institute warned skiers that sudden flash-avalanches may occur, as well as snowslides caused by people in the mountains.

A spokesperson from Finland’s association of cross-country ski clubs said that they have not yet received any reports of snowslides, but she warned skiers not to go off-piste unless accompanied by an experienced guide. “This must be taken seriously, even in Finland,” she said.

Meanwhile Sunday’s weather forecast promises more dense snowfall in Lapland overnight and across the country. The precipitation will start to ease up by morning, but Monday will also be snowy, mainly in Lapland and in the south.