Several weather stations in the region recorded their highest annual averages on record.
All but two months of 2024—January and April—were warmer than usual. The trend extended into the summer, with Finnish Lapland experiencing its hottest summer on record. July temperatures in northern Finland ranged from 15.5 to 18 degrees Celsius, 2 to 3.4 degrees above the monthly norm. This warmth contributed to 20 hot days in July, defined as days exceeding 25 degrees Celsius.
Autumn 2024 continued the warming pattern, ranking as the fourth warmest on record in Finland. The season was particularly mild in the southern and eastern regions, with some observation stations recording their highest autumn temperatures in 90 years. Precipitation levels were higher than average in western Finland and Northern Lapland during the autumn months.
Unusually little snowfall in Lapland
By December, snowfall in Southern and Central Lapland was well below average, with some areas reporting less than 10 centimetres of snow. At Kemijärvi Airport, snow depth on 17 December was a mere five centimetres, a rare occurrence seen only once every 30 years. The lack of snow has posed challenges for tourism and winter sports industries, particularly ski resorts, which rely on natural snow for operations.
This low snowfall is attributed to mild temperatures and below-average precipitation in November and December. Despite high-pressure systems bringing cold and dry weather, the limited snow accumulation reflects ongoing climate changes in Finland. Northern Lapland, however, retained near-normal snow levels, offering some respite for the region’s winter activities.
Increasing wildfire risks
The record heat in Lapland’s summer also exacerbated wildfire risks. The Inari region reported 17 wildfires during the summer, surpassing the seasonal average of 10. Experts warn that hotter temperatures and drier conditions will likely increase the frequency and intensity of wildfires in the coming years, driven by climate change.
According to FMI researcher Outi Kinnunen, the warming climate is reducing snow cover earlier in the year, extending fire seasons and making land surfaces more prone to fires.
Globally, 2024 is on track to be the warmest year ever recorded, capping a decade of rising temperatures largely attributed to human-induced climate change. Finland, warming faster than many parts of the world, exemplifies how climate variability intersects with long-term trends.
“Lapland is warming faster than other parts of Finland,” the FMI noted. The region’s changing climate not only disrupts natural ecosystems but also affects tourism, agriculture, and residents’ well-being.
With over half of the winter season still ahead, weather forecasts indicate potential low-pressure systems could bring more snow by Christmas. However, experts stress the need for emissions reductions and sustainable land management to mitigate future climate-related challenges in Finland.
HT
