Much of the country can expect a hot spell this Midsummer weekend.
In southern and central areas, the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) said highs will reach 25 degrees Celsius (classified as "hot" in Finland) around noon on Friday, coinciding with Midsummer's Eve.
By Saturday, the mercury is expected to climb to 30 degrees in these parts.
FMI meteorologist Henri Nyman said that on Friday it's unlikely that the 25-degree-Celsius conditions will extend north of Kajaani. In northern Ostrobothnia and Kainuu temperatures will range between 22C and 25C, with cooler weather expected in Lapland.
Traditional Midsummer bonfires are off-limits on Friday in areas where there is a risk for forest or brush fires. These include the Åland Islands, Southwest Finland, Satakunta, Uusimaa, Kanta-Häme, Päijät-Häme and Kymenlaakso, as wells parts of Rovaniemi, Ylitornio and Pello.
"All types of open fires are forbidden, including bonfires. Rescue officials cannot grant special permission to start fires in these areas," explained Petri Talikka of the Kanta-Häme Department for Rescue Services.
The Finnish Environment Institute (Syke) said on Thursday that toxic algae levels in the sea remain low, due to relatively cool water temperatures so far this summer. The risk of blue-green algae in lakes will, however, increase as the weather warms.