Finland's national airline Finnair has warned that flights may be cancelled or delayed on Tuesday due to a snowstorm accompanied by strong winds.
Finnair's Communications Manager Suvi Aaltonen told Yle that flights from Helsinki to Tallinn and Kuopio were cancelled on Tuesday morning due to the weather conditions — with more disruptions expected.
In addition, two other flights — to Malaga and to Manchester — were cancelled due to a ban on standby cover for sick pilots, called by the Finnish Air Line Pilots' Association (SLL) last week as a pay dispute with Finnair continues.
Aaltonen noted that more flights may be affected by the standby ban on Tuesday, and she advised passengers to closely monitor the situation regarding their own flights and to allow plenty of time for travelling to the airport.
Poor driving conditions across Finland
The severe weather conditions are also impacting road traffic, with the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) issuing a warning of hazardous driving conditions for much of the country.
Snowstorms and strong winds will affect visibility, the FMI's warning noted, and road surfaces are likely to be especially slippery due to the freezing temperatures. A high wind warning is also in effect for coastal areas.
A low-pressure front will bring heavy snowfall to the south on Tuesday morning, and will gradually move northwards throughout the day.
Temperatures on Tuesday are also expected to vary widely, with readings of 3-4 degrees Celsius forecast for the south while the mercury could plunge to as low as -30 degrees in Finnish Lapland.
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