Heavy snowfall causing major traffic troubles in Finland

Heavy snowfall blanketed parts of Finland on January 12, 2016. Huge amounts of snow, blizzard conditions and cold temperatures caused traffic disruptions, closures and delays across the country.

The large snowstorm that hit southern and central Finland caused substantial trouble to roads and public transportation. Finnish state rail company VR canceled some of its local and long distance routes before the event while the Finnish Transport Safety Agency (Trafi) increased road and rail system maintenance.

High-resolution satellite image of a vortex low centered off the coast of Finland, January 12, 2016, 11:00 UTC. Image credit: eumetsat.int via Severe Weather Europe

24-hour temperature anomaly across Europe. Image credit: WeatherBell via Severe Weather Europe

Numerous trains on the route connecting Helsinki and Turku, and Helsinki with Tampere have been canceled. Also, trains from Helsinki to Joensuu have been re-directed and will not travel via Kouvola. Several routes in the country's capital have been canceled, as well.

Image credit: Johanna Strömsholm via Twitter

Slippery road conditions are expected across the affected areas, and Rauha Kiljunen-Ruotsalainen, Trafi director, warned drivers to expect difficult driving conditions, drive slowly and exercise caution. By 8 am (local time) three accidents already took place in Mikkeli, Vantaa and Sipoo.

Finavia reported the air travel remains unaffected so far. The snowstorm is expected to continue throughout the next day and a half.

Featured image: Finland snowstorm, January 12, 2016. Image credit: @CipherFive