Storm Hannes hits Finland at the worst possible time, leaving thousands without power

For many people in Finland, Saturday was meant to be about heading home after the Christmas break. Instead, it turned into a day of power cuts, travel disruption and strong winds as Storm Hannes swept into the country, bringing winter conditions that are proving hard to ignore.

By Saturday afternoon, around 14,000 households in western Finland were without electricity, as the storm battered large parts of the country. Strong winds, heavy snow and sleet combined to create difficult conditions, particularly in western and northern regions.

What makes the situation more frustrating is the timing. Saturday was already expected to be the busiest day for post-holiday return travel, with thousands of people on the move after Christmas.

Power outages spread as winds topple trees

The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) warned early on that Storm Hannes would bring prolonged gusts strong enough to knock down trees and damage power lines. That forecast quickly became reality.

In western Finland, fallen trees disrupted electricity networks, leaving thousands of homes without power. Energy companies have been working to restore supplies, but conditions on the ground have made repairs more challenging.

Further east, electricity providers are also preparing for the worst. Extra crews have been deployed across eastern Finland, ready to respond if the storm continues to move across the country as expected.

According to weather service Foreca, the first hurricane-force gust linked to Storm Hannes was recorded off the coast of Kaskinen, on Sälgrund island. The strongest gust measured so far reached 33 metres per second, underlining just how powerful the system is.

Meteorologists expect the storm to reach its peak late on Saturday evening, with strong winds continuing into the night.

Travel disrupted from Lapland to Sweden

The storm has not only affected power supplies. Travel across Finland has also been hit, with conditions deteriorating as the day went on.

In Lapland, several ski resorts were forced to close lift operations as strong winds made it unsafe to keep them running. While the slopes themselves remain covered in snow, the weather has made normal resort activity impossible in some areas.

Elsewhere in the country, poor visibility caused by snow, sleet and blowing wind is expected to affect western and central Finland, adding to the challenges for drivers and public transport operators.

The disruption does not stop at Finland’s borders. In neighbouring Sweden, a number of train and ferry services scheduled for Saturday were cancelled, and bridges were closed to traffic as a precaution against high winds.

Transport authorities on both sides of the border are monitoring the situation closely, warning that further cancellations are possible if conditions worsen.

A difficult weekend for returning travellers

Storm Hannes has arrived at a moment when many people are already tired from holiday travel. Saturday is traditionally one of the busiest days of the year for return journeys, as families head back home after Christmas celebrations.

That has left travellers dealing with delays, cancellations and last-minute changes to their plans. In rural areas, fallen trees and damaged power lines may take time to clear, particularly if strong winds continue to hamper repair work.

In northern Finland, heavy snow and sleet are adding another layer of difficulty, while western regions are dealing with powerful gusts and reduced visibility. Authorities are urging people to avoid unnecessary travel where possible and to stay updated through official channels.

Emergency services remain on standby, focusing on keeping key routes open and restoring electricity where it has been lost. For many households, however, the evening may still be spent waiting for the lights to come back on.

As Storm Hannes continues to move across Finland, the priority is safety – both for those travelling and for crews working to repair damage. For thousands of people trying to get home after the holidays, it has already turned an ordinary journey into a far more complicated one.

Stay tuned with Euro Weekly News for more news from Finland