Winter Storm Forecast for Late Saturday

In the northern Baltic and Gulf of Finland, winds in excess of 25 metres per second are anticipated. Winds could also be dangerously strong inland in southern areas.

The Meteorological Institute warns that storm force winds could fell trees and cause damage to roofs.

Water and wave levels could also reach record heights of up to 9 metres in the northern Baltic posing a danger to smaller vessels. Waves reaching a height of 5 metres are predicted in the Gulf of Finland. Flooding is a distinct possibility.

Officials Prepared Officials are prepared for a stronger than average storm late Saturday. Winds could also be of the same strength as those during the Rafael storm which caused havoc in Finland around the Christmas period.