TORNADOES IN FINLAND DURING THE YEARS 1997–1999

Since the spring 1997 the Finnish Meteorological Institute has been collecting information on tornadoes in Finland. In this study, reports from the years 1997-1999 were gathered, credibility of the reports was evaluated and significant characteristics of each event were recorded.

Tornadoes are more common in Finland than previously believed. During the three-year period, 39 tornadoes and waterspouts occurred in Finland. Here we point out some special characteristics of the records of the three-year period. Some of the results are also compared to tornado statistics from other countries.