Finland braces for deep freeze weekend with temperatures of -40C
The severe cold snap of recent days will continue into the weekend, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI), with central parts of the country likely to see the mercury drop to -40 degrees Celsius.
Temperatures in the south will meanwhile reach around -15 degrees on Saturday, while Finnish Lapland will see a range of between -20 and -30 degrees.
The bitterly cold conditions will last until Sunday, FMI predicts, with the south set for temperatures of -25 degrees.
However, the outlook for Monday reveals a significant rise in temperatures across the country — although driving conditions will be hazardous in many parts.
By Tuesday, thermometer readings in the south and west will likely rise above freezing for the first time this year — but only just, with temperatures of +1 degrees forecast.
Finland recorded its coldest temperature this century early on Friday morning, when -44.3 degrees Celsius was registered just after 2am at Enontekiö in Finnish Lapland.
Related stories from around the North :
Canada : Canadian Arctic hunter survives 5-day blizzard, losing both hands to frostbite, CBC News
Finland : November was colder than average in Finnish Lapland, Yle News
United States : Family of Czech billionaire sues over Alaska crash death, The Associated Press
