Finland: Wet and chilly summer weather was unpredictable

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In Southwestern Finland, in the archipelago, and in the Turku region, the early summer was dry, as the cold sea water held back showers.
The sea was unusually windy and rough, while the results from sea level measurements were rather normal. Moreover, the absence of warm weather conditions discouraged the growth of algae in Finnish coastal waters.
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In many places the rainy and cold summer affected people’s life, livelihood, and holiday plans.
According to Risto Korpela, the head of the Finnish Golf Union, the summer weather did not favour golfers.
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Professor Pirjo Mäkelä from the University of Helsinki reported that this summer was not very good for farmers, either.
”Particularly in Southern Finland the early summer was really dry, and growth was uneven and scanty”, noted Mäkelä.
Professor Pirjo Peltonen-Sainio from the MTT Agrifood Research Finland hopes that the rains would finally abate and allow an uninterrupted harvest in as dry conditions as possible.
”From the farmers’ point of view, this summer has turned out to be completely topsy-turvy. Normally, a well-watered spring and a dry harvesting season would be what farmers hope for”, reported Peltonen-Sainio.
Hannu Salo, the Managing Director of the Finnish Association of Fruit and Berry Growers, said that as a result of the chilly weather, the strawberry season was delayed, reducing sales.
”Heavy rains damaged the raspberry crop, and the frosts killed nearly 30% of the currant blossoms, thus leaving fewer currants to mature for picking”, reported Salo.
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This summer has not been good for tourism and terrace restaurants in particular, while the sales of beer have gone down, reported Timo Lappi, representing the Finnish tourism and catering services.
Considering the cold weather, sales of icecream have been quite good, said Ingman Ice Cream’s sales manager Teppo Kuuttiniemi.
While the summer was too cold for sunbathing on the beach, visits to spa hotels and amusement parks grew in popularity.