July downpours break records in many regions

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Rainstorms in July broke rainfall records in numerous Finnish communities. According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the records for rainfall over 24 hours, as well as monthly records, were broken in the regions of Northern Savo, Central Finland, Häme, and Uusimaa.
      The largest amount of rain in July fell on the municipality of Hausjärvi, which received 246 millimetres. Hyvinkää came in second with 245 millimetres. The monthly rainfall record was broken in eight other municipalities as well, with the old records shattered by 50 millimetres or more.
     
The all-time July rainfall record was not broken, however: in July 1934, it rained 302 millimetres in Laukaa. In 1967, two towns recorded rainfall of 291 millimetres.
      When it rains more than 200 millimetres in July, the precipitation is about three times above the long-term average of 70-80 millimetres.
      The northernmost regions of Finland enjoyed the best weather in July, with rainfall at only around 35-70 millimetres. Lapland's Utsjoki was the warmest municipality in Finland in July.
      In Lapland, the July temperature was between one and four degrees Celsius warmer than the average. In the central and southern parts of the country, the temperatures were in line with long-term averages.
     
With the exception of Lapland, the 25°C barrier, which officially separates warm and hot weather in Finland, was not broken in July. The number of thunderstorms, which are usually associated with hot weather, was nevertheless larger than normal.
      More than 5,000 bolts of lightning were recorded on four days in July, and there were thunderstorms in some parts of the country more or less every day.
      As most of Finland's lakes and rivers are now filled to the brim with water, a rainy autumn would inevitably cause flooding in many regions.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Late July downpours bring flooding to Southern Finland (2.8.2004)

Helsingin Sanomat