Temperatures in Finland last month were between 1.5 and 3.5 degrees Celsius warmer than normal in most parts of the country.

Southern parts of the country can expect showers and thunderstorms on Tuesday, with more severe storms possibly hitting central areas by evening.

The last time the water levels were this high in some places was in the late 1990s or early 2000s. According to the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), floodwaters will likely spill onto fields and roads in parts of southern and western Finland, but not into buildings.

Harju said that due to its long tusks, she guessed that it was an older walrus, adding that the animal was calm during the hour that she watched it lay on the beach.

The last time Finland had this much sunshine in March was nearly a decade ago, in 2013. High pressure typically brings clear skies, and this was also the case last month in Finland.

Some migrant birds are already flocking to the north, but a cold snap may delay more returns.

Conditions will heat up with every passing day and weekend highs will be in the 20s across the country.

Finland says the low concentrations of radioactive material found in air samples pose no danger.

The eyewitness, who first heard the animal splashing by the southeastern coast, said she couldn't believe her eyes.

The brown bears hibernated for only two months due to the warm winter conditions, according to zoo officials.

Gusty winds and precipitation began pounding Finland from the southwest on Wednesday morning.

Helsinki usually gets 70-80 millimetres of rain during August. Friday morning alone brought 56 mm of water to Kaisaniemi Park, where the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) has a weather station.

The northwest coastal city of Oulu was one of several that had over 30-degree Celsius temperatures on Friday.

The state rail company VR has said that it will substitute buses on some of the cancelled rail trips.

In the frigid waters of the Gulf of Finland, cyanobacteria has been observed for the first time during the winter months.

Sightings of great egrets have been reported for decades, but sightings this summer confirm the first time the species has nested in Finland.

With current tropical conditions set to continue for another week, the situation is not likely to improve before the end of July or early August.

A temperature of 27.7 degrees Celsius was recorded in the southern city of Kouvola.

Not only is pollen is beginning to spread, but road gravel dust and studded tyres grinding the tarmac can also cause particulates that cause breathing difficulties. There are a few ways to deal with the dust, however.

Sea ice around Helsinki becomes more precarious as spring draws near.