Finland’s Lapland region experienced some out-of-character balmy and wet weather this June, following a warmer-than-usual spring across the country.
Nationwide, temperatures ran one to two degrees above the long-term norm, with the country’s Arctic region, along with parts of the South, standing out.
“In the northernmost parts of Lapland and the southwest archipelago, June was even unusually warm, in places,” the Finnish Meteorological Institute said in a statement.
Finland typically sees around eight hot days in June, but this year, the total jumped to 13.
- Highest Temperature: 29.5 C at Salo Kärkkä observation station (southern Finland) on June 29
- Lowest Temperature: -2.5 C, in Lompolonvuoma, Kittilä (arctic Finland)
- Cloud-to-ground lightning strikes: 6,400, compared to the average of 17,600
Source: Finnish Meteorological Institute
Lapland also stood out for its wet June weather.
The region recorded the highest total rainfall of 135.3 mm in the village of Raistakka, in Posio municipality.
Warm spring gives way to balmy June
But June’s unusual weather wasn’t a one-off. Instead, it continued Finland’s exceptionally warm spring.
Looking at data from March to May, the Finnish Meteorological Institute found temperatures “record-high in nearly everywhere in the country” compared with the long-term average from 1991–2020. Temperature deviations were generally between two and four degrees, the FMI said in its evaluation of spring weather last month.
In Lapland, the average temperature in May was 4 C, while the region’s northernmost areas were slightly drier than usual.
Comments, tips or story ideas? Contact Eilís at eilis.quinn(at)cbc.ca
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Extreme cold weather won’t stop some Yukoners from getting their jobs done, CBC News
Finland: Cooler May weather for Finland but spring still warmer overall, Eye on the Arctic
Norway: Weather above normal for 18 consecutive months, The Independent Barents Observer
