Photo: Ahti Ovaskainen
Finnish Meteorological Institute
The Finnish Meteorological Institute is a service and research facility which provides weather, marine and climate services that are of importance to public safety and business. Road, sea and air traffic, among others, require constant and accurate data on weather and conditions to be able to operate safely and punctually.
The Finnish Meteorological Institute possesses expertise which will be needed in the future for the northernmost reaches of our planet. Indeed, many of the Finnish Meteorological Institute research projects are focused on improving the safety and smooth operation of human activity in the Arctic areas, using smart information and communication technology. The research data produced by the Finnish Meteorological Institute is also needed to support policy-making in climate and environmental issues, as climate change is progressing at a much faster rate in Arctic areas than it is elsewhere in the world.
The Finnish Meteorological Institute already monitors and produces different kinds of observation data from Finland, the Baltic Sea as well as Arctic areas. For example, the National Satellite Data Centre in Sodankylä receives and archives observations that satellites transmit from Finland, Europe and the whole northern hemisphere in nearly real time. The data transmitted by satellites is now being used in, among others, northern hemisphere flood prediction systems, ice services and shipping, but satellite data offers limitless possibilities for a wide variety of fields.
The Finnish Meteorological Institute maintains a research station for measuring greenhouse gases in the Pallas-Yllästunturi National Park. The Pallas Atmospheric Research station is studying climate change and its impact on the vulnerable nature of Arctic areas. The climate impacts of fine particulates in the atmosphere, the interaction between particulates and clouds, and air quality are also being studied. The Arctic Research Centre in Sodankylä and Pallas Atmospheric Research station form the Pallas-Sodankylä Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) station.
Video on Arctic expertise