More than 44,000 customers lost power due to gusts of more than 28 meters per second on the South Coast. Forecasters are warning of dangerous driving midweek due to a snowstorm.

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Around 10,000 homes were still without power as of Sunday morning, according to the Finnish Energy Industry Association.

Strong, gusty winds ravaged Finland on Saturday evening, cutting power to more than 44,000 customers, particularly in eastern regions. Households without electricity on Sunday morning were mainly on the Elenia and Järvi-Suomen Energia networks, in the east and center of the country.

Sustained winds of 22 meters per second were recorded over southern sea areas, with gusts of up to 28.6 m/s at the Harmaja lighthouse in Helsinki, and over 27 m/s along the coast, from Porvoo to Rauma.

Maintenance crews worked through the night to repair downed lines from fallen trees and branches, and the number of customers without power was declining.

Strong winds are expected to persist on Sunday. The Finnish Meteorological Institute has issued a storm warning for maritime areas, with winds reaching 21 meters per second. There is also a road warning for slippery roads in central Finland, Kainuu and parts of Ostrobothnia due to snow or sleet.

The IMF also issued a warning of very poor road conditions in southern and central Finland from Tuesday evening due to an expected snowstorm. There is orange warnings of dangerous driving in most of the country on Thursday.

The storm came two weeks after the very first hurricane force winds were recorded in Finland. This storm caused significant Shame to the forests of southern and western Finland.

Remote islands in Jyväskylä

Meanwhile, in Jyväskylä, central Finland, residents of two islands were isolated on Sunday morning due to damage to the bridge connecting them to the mainland.

All traffic – including on foot – was interrupted on the Louhunsalmi Bridge leading to Säynätsalo due to the breakage of a supporting cable on the suspension bridge. It was not immediately clear whether the damage was caused by the windstorm.

The bridge was closed around 8 a.m. At first, the bridge could not be crossed, even on foot, so the residents of Lehtisaari and Muuratsalo found themselves temporarily stuck on their islands.

Later in the morning, pedestrians and cyclists were allowed to use the bridge, but authorities said unnecessary use of the structure should be avoided. Officials from the city of Jyväskylä and the Central Finland Rescue Services were investigating the situation and controlling traffic in the area.

Emergency officials said the bridge may be temporarily open to emergency vehicle traffic.

The 178 meter bridge, built in 1957, is one of the longest in Finland. Säynätsalo and Muuratsalo are known for their architect-designed buildings Alvar Aalto.

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