Driving conditions remained very difficult throughout Friday in the provinces of Uusimaa and East Uusimaa, and also poor through the south-eastern and easternmost parts of the country.

The Road Administration warned motorists to be especially cautious as there were many snowploughs working to clear an unexpectedly heavy overnight snowfall.

Some 60 accidents were reported in Helsinki on Friday morning, several involving trucks and snowploughs. Later in the day, traffic was held up on Highway 3 near Hyvinkää during an accident involving two vehicles.

There have also been scattered delays in Helsinki-area train, bus and tram services.

Ports Face Worst Ice in 7 Years

Meanwhile strong southerly winds are making it difficult for ships to enter and leaving ports in Uusimaa and East Uusimaa. The wind has forced large volumes of pack ice into shipping lanes.

The Eckerö Line ferry Nordlandia with 850 passengers on board got stuck in the ice half an hour after leaving Helsinki. An icebreaker assisted by two tugs later freed the vessel, which arrived in Tallinn over seven hours late.

The icebreakers Voima and Sisu are also assisting vessels around harbours from Hanko to Lovisa.

On Thursday waiting times to enter or depart exceeded 10 hours. Port authorities say this is the worst situation since 2003.

Power utilities say they are working hard to prevent blackouts caused by heavy snow on trees and electric lines.

For instance in eastern Finland the Suur-Savon Sähkö power company is hiring outside workers to help this weekend if predicted winds and snowfall create new problems. Helicopters are also being used to clear power lines of snow.

Wind Adds Extra Chill to Low Temperatures