The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) warns of poor driving conditions through most of southern, central and eastern Finland on Sunday. Travel advisories are in effect until 6pm.

On Sunday, the FMI raised the traffic warning to the orange level ("very bad road conditions") in eastern Finland, from Kymenlaakso in the southeast up to North Savo and North Karelia.

It predicted moderately poor driving from Uusimaa (which includes Helsinki and its surroundings) up to Kainuu.

On Saturday, a travel advisory was in effect throughout the country, from the Åland Islands to northernmost Lapland.

The alerts come on a busy travel weekend, with many families driving to or from ski resorts or cabins.

On Monday, school holidays end in most of southern Finland and begin in central and western areas. The staggered winter break schedule continues with schools in eastern and northern Finland closed during the first week of March.

"Bad road conditions are expected because of snow, blowing snow and rising temperatures," the FMI says, pointing to a greater risk of accidents through the weekend.

According to Yle meteorologist Anne Borgström, snowfall was increasing from the west on Saturday, mixed with freezing drizzle in some areas. In the evening and overnight, snowfall was set become heavy in southern parts of the country.

On Sunday, the band of snow moves eastward, with 5-10 cm expected in eastern areas. The weather will clear up in the rest of the country, with temperatures remaining below freezing – as they have been in most of the country since the beginning of the year.

On Saturday afternoon, though, the temperature could rise to +2 degrees Celsius in the southwestern Finland and Åland, according to Foreca meteorologist Anna Latvala.

Generally, temperatures in the south and west will be between zero and –4, and elsewhere between -2 and -10, remaining colder than -20 in clear areas of Northern Lapland.

20cm of new snow possible

Latvala predicts that nearly all parts of the country will get new snow on Saturday, with accumulations of 2–10 centimetres. Some southern and eastern areas could receive a further 2–10 centimetres on Sunday morning before the precipitation moves off to the east.

After weeks of very light winds, southern and central parts of the country will experience moderate winds from the southwest. That wind may stir up snow, hampering visibility.

Overnight lows range between -2 in the south and east to -30 in parts of central and northern Lapland.

Sunday night will be blustery and cold, dropping to between -10 and -20 degrees in southern and central parts of the country and to around -30 locally in Lapland.

The forecast for next week is still variable, but it looks like another high pressure system will strengthen over Finland, according to Latvala. That would mean only light local snow and partly sunny skies, with temperatures remaining below the freezing point as February draws to a close.

Classes resume on Monday in capital region, Turku and Pori

Pupils in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, as well as those in Pori and Turku, are generally due back at their desks on 23 February.

During week 9 (23–27 February), schools in Hämeenlinna, Kotka, Mikkeli, Tampere and other south-central municipalities are on vacation.

Youngsters in northern and eastern cities and municipalities such as Oulu, Rovaniemi and Kuopio are on holiday during week 10 (2–6 March).

The next school holidays are around Easter, which falls on 3–6 April this year.

Feb 22, 9.23am: Updated with orange warning, other details.