Hydrological forecasts
Hydrological watershed models systems cover the whole of Finland, including transboundary drainage basins. These models provide forecasts of flows and water levels (including flood forecasts) for more than three hundred locations. Real time hydrological maps are also produced, as well as comprehensive sets of hydrological data used for the purposes of flood prevention, water level regulation, pollution load calculations, and public information.
Hydrological observations
Current hydrological information is available from measuring sites all around Finland. These figures include the results of the latest hydrological observations. In many cases observations are recorded on a daily basis. Historical hydrological observations are available to download from SYKE Open information.
Satellite measurements
For the hydrological features satellite measurements can reveal such information as the extent of snow cover, sea surface temperature, and the presence of intense algal blooms. Snow cover is monitored from March to May in more than 5,000 drainage basins around Finland. Sea surface temperatures are recorded for the Baltic Sea and Finland’s largest lakes from May to October. Water turbidity and chlorophyll-a concentration in the Baltic Sea are monitored from April to October. Algal blooms in the Baltic are monitored in July and August. The results of all these satellite measurements are combined into thematic maps on a daily basis, although clouds may partially cover the observed area and prevent satellite observations.
Other current information
The Finnish Environment Institute (SYKE) also publishes occasional pressreleases on floods, snow cover, and other important news related to water and snow information.