The Finnish Meteorological Institute's Mäkiluoto weather observation station at Kirkkonummi, west of the capital, Friday morning recorded a steady 10-minute blast of wind moving at 29 metres per second. The station is unusual, however, in that its measuring equipment is located 31 metres above ground level, whereas most measurements of wind speed are taken at a height of about 10 metres
Most Friday land readings were around 21-22 m/s, which are not unusual during winter storms.
The Finnish Meteorological Institute says, though, that Friday's storm was unusual in terms of the height of waves it generated at sea. The Institute recorded one wave during the day of 9.4 metres in height. The Institute says that because the Gulf of Finland is so narrow, this is the maximum height a wave can reach in these waters.
Waves just off the coast of Helsinki were running as high as 5.2 metres.
On land, the impact of heavy snowfall has been further compounded by drifting caused by the high winds.
Power outages
As of Friday evening around 10,000 households were still without power, down from a peak of 30,000 earlier in the day.
High winds downed trees and cut power lines in Uusimaa, Pirkanmaa, Varsinais-Suomi and South Savo.
Crews were out repairing lines and restoring electricity to affected areas.
Rough passage
The passenger ship Silja Serenade was hit by high winds while entering Helsinki harbour on Friday, causing it to list dangerously.
No injuries were reported.
The Silja Serenade had a rough passage through Friday's storm on its run from Stockholm, arriving in Helsinki almost 24 hours behind schedule.
