Climate change: more mild and rainy winters in store for Finland

Global warming likely to increase extreme weather conditions

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By Heli Saavalainen
     
      Erratic weather has become familiar to Finns in recent years. When heat and drought have not been a problem, nerves, wallets, and the normal functions of society have been tested by flooding and storms.
      There is no change for the better in sight; according to climate change models, extreme weather phenomena are set to increase.
      "Climatic change is affecting the whole world, and it is already taking place. Finland is not separate from the earth’s climate system", says Heikki Tuomenvirta, a researcher at the Finnish Meteorological Institute.
      In his view, exceptional weather patterns fit assessments of how the Finnish climate is likely to change. Mild winters and more precipitation are in store.
      "The main changes can be seen in winter weather, because even under normal conditions, the greatest fluctuations take place in winter", Tuomenvirta says.
     
Winter flooding is expected to become increasingly frequent in Southern and Central Finland. The same kinds of torrential rain and massive floods that have affected Central Europe could also come to Finland.
      Floods produced by heavy rains can cause extensive damage especially in cities, where masses of water can flood streets and get into cellars. As asphalt does not absorb water, even the smallest of floods will wash contaminants from parking areas into drains and waterways.
     
To reduce the risks, Finland has drafted a national strategy for adapting to climate change.
      According to a fresh report from the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, Finland needs to quickly take action in anticipation of extreme weather phenomena. The actions are linked with flood prevention, construction, transport, and community planning, as well as forest management and tree harvesting.
      According to the report, risk areas need to be assessed in water management; anti-flood structures, such as rapidly deployable flood barriers, need to be put in place.
      Cities will need alternate water intakes. Water and sewage networks need to be expanded.
      Individual citizens are urged to prepare for both floods and droughts by taking out insurance, building houses further away from low-lying areas that are prone to flooding, and by setting up irrigation systems. Damage can be prevented by following flood warnings, by protecting buildings with sandbags, making doors watertight, plugging up drains, and lifting water-sensitive objects to higher levels.
     
In the planning of land use, rain water drainage systems should be designed so that even the heaviest of downpours would not cause the drains to overflow.
      Construction should focus on areas not at risk from floods. Existing structures should be protected and strengthened, not only from rains and flooding, but from the risk of gale-force winds.
      Sturdy and high foundations should be favoured in building design, as well as systems for drying wet structures.
      According to the report, methods of assessing load-carrying capacity, stability, and subsidence should be inspected in such a way that buildings can be made to remain intact through both long dry spells and wet periods.
      For instance, Helsinki is already taking the rise in sea levels into consideration in the planning of new buildings.
     
In transport, the increased frequency of flooding is to be taken into account by changing regulations on the size of bridge openings and heights of embankments.
      Railway embankments need to be protected from flooding and erosion.
      Breakwaters could be needed more in harbours, as heavy wave conditions become more frequent, and as the time that the sea is covered by ice decreases.
      The need to fight slippery roads should increase, as road conditions will be subject to rapid changes.
     
Helsingin Sanomat / First published in print 16.2.2005

More on this subject:
 The global scale: Drought, floods, heavy rains
 FACTFILE: Disadvantages - and some benefits

Previously in HS International Edition:
  Finnish greenhouse gas emissions still exceed Kyoto limits by 20% (16.2.2005)

HELI SAAVALAINEN / Helsingin Sanomat
heli.saavalainen@hs.fi