Finland is starting to experience summerlike weather. Friday saw this year's spring temperature record broken in Varkaus and Mikkeli, where the temperature climbed to 23 degrees Celsius.
Yle meteorologist Matti Huutonen said warm and sunny weather is expected for much of the country over the weekend. In southern parts of Finland daytime highs will reach 20-24 degrees Celsius. Up north, temperatures will be around 15-20 degrees and in Lapland between 10 and 15 degrees.
"Grass and forest fire warnings are in effect in many parts of the country," he said.
With Saturday's Eurovision song contest final having the potential of mobilising people, Huutonen said it's good to keep in mind that the weather is expected to cool down as evening approaches. Temperatures around the country will drop to their lowest levels in the early hours of Sunday morning.
"In the south, the temperature will drop to 5-10 degrees Celsius, and in some places even below 5 degrees," said Huutonen.
On Mother's Day, rain will sweep across northernmost Lapland. Eastern and southeastern parts of the country can also expect showers on Sunday afternoon. The rainfall, however, won't amount to more than a few millimetres.
"Air-purifying rains aren't expected to arrive until the middle of next week, around Wednesday," Huutonen said.
