Seija Paasonen has been tracking the patterns of the North American forest fires for several weeks now. She says that the smoke has traveled as far as Europe owing to wind patterns in the upper atmosphere.

A new precipitation system is approaching Finland from the south-west, bringing wet, heavy snow or sleet to southern and some central areas of the country, possibly causing headaches for commuters on Friday morning.

Spring’s many faces and moods greeted mums across Finland on Mother’s Day. Some celebrated the occasion in summery weather, while others in areas like Kainuu in eastern Finland contended with up to 20cm of snow.