sääolosilta

Sääolosilta is a Finnish term that refers to a specialized type of weather observation platform used primarily for measuring atmospheric conditions in rural and coastal areas of Finland. The platform typically consists of a modular tower equipped with standard meteorological instruments such as anemometers, wind vanes, humidity sensors, and temperature probes. The sensors are mounted at a height of 10 to 15 metres above ground level to reduce the influence of local terrain and vegetation, giving a more representative measurement of ground‑level weather. Sääolosilta stations are often connected to the national meteorological network managed by the Finnish Meteorological Institute, allowing real‑time data transmission to central forecast centers.

The concept of a sääolosilta emerged in the late 1970s as part of efforts to improve the spatial resolution of weather data for modeling purposes. In contrast to larger meteorological stations, which often measure weather in a single observation point, the sääolosilta approach emphasizes repeated and continuous measurement at fixed sites throughout the country. Some stations are dedicated to tracking extreme wind events, such as micro‑gusts near coastlines, while others monitor long‑term temperature trends for climate studies.

In practice, sääolosilta stations have proven valuable for emergency services, such as coastal rescue operations, by providing precise wind speed and direction data that help assess storm risk. They also support agricultural planning, forestry management, and renewable energy sectors by supplying accurate local weather information. Though the term is mostly used in Finland, the design principles behind a sääolosilta are applicable to similar weather observation networks around the world.