viranomaissääkirjat

Viranomaissääkirjat are official weather diaries or logs kept by public authorities to document weather observations, forecasts and the authorities’ responses to weather-related events. The term is used in Finnish public discourse to refer to administrative records that accompany weather events and the state’s preparations and actions. Such records may be produced by meteorological services, civil protection agencies, transport authorities, and other state bodies responsible for public safety and infrastructure.

Content and structure: Entries typically cover a defined period, often a calendar day or forecast cycle, and may include parameters such as temperature, precipitation, wind and visibility, as well as narrative notes on notable phenomena (storms, floods, heat waves). They also record issued warnings, advisories, decision logs (for example road closures, salt distribution, sheltering actions) and the deployment of resources. Depending on jurisdiction, the diaries can be maintained in paper form, digital databases, or integrated into broader information systems.

Purpose and use: Viranomaissääkirjat serve multiple aims, including accountability and auditability of decisions, support for emergency management, and facilitation of climate and weather research. They can provide a valuable historical record of weather events and authorities’ responses, contributing to policy review and resilience planning.

Access and preservation: As public records, these diaries are typically subject to archival rules and may be accessed by researchers or the public under applicable privacy and security provisions. Retention periods and access rights vary by country and agency.

See also: Meteorological records, climate data, emergency management, public archives, administrative records.