Finland experiences unusually low number of storms and lightning

Finland has experienced an unusually quiet year regarding severe weather, with both storm days and thunderstorms falling significantly below historical averages. Meteorologist Sara Salonen reports that as of early September, only four storm days have been recorded, compared to a 20-year annual average of 29. The lowest number of storm days in the last two decades occurred in 2014, when 16 were recorded.

Thunderstorm activity has also been notably low. Approximately 28,000 cloud-to-ground lightning strikes have been observed so far this year, a figure that represents only a fraction of the typical annual range of 80,000 to 130,000. This current total is even lower than the average number of strikes typically seen in July alone.

Experts attribute this lack of activity to persistent high-pressure systems. A stubborn high-pressure area over Finland during January and February, along with airflows primarily from the North Atlantic during the summer, prevented the development of the intense heatwaves and moisture levels necessary for major storms and lightning episodes.