Record sunshine levels in the south in October

The whole country received more sunshine than on average, the southern and western parts receiving even twice the long-term average. Many places had even more sunshine than on average in September, and October was the sunniest on record at many observation stations. The most sunshine, 185 hours, was received in Mariehamn.

The mean temperature in October did not deviate largely from normal. The monthly mean temperature varied between around +5 degrees in coastal areas to around zero degrees in Northern Lapland. The mean temperature was just under one degree lower than on average in the southern part of the country, while the northern part of the country was mainly just under one degree warmer than on average. The month's highest temperature was 18.0°C recorded at Mariehamn Airport on 2 October, and the lowest temperature -14.5°C in Pokka in Kittilä on 9 October.

Unexceptionally dry in the south

The monthly rainfall remained lower than on average in almost the entire country; in the southern part of the country and in Northern Lapland even under 20 millimetres. In the southern part of the country, the monthly rainfall remained unexceptionally low and even the lowest ever recorded in October at some observation stations. Many places saw three weeks of fair weather. The most rainfall, just over 60mm, was received in Kainuu and in Koillismaa, in which precipitation levels rose slightly higher than on average. The highest precipitation levels were in Paljakka in Puolanka, where 99.4mm of rainfall was measured. Utö in Parainen was the driest area with rainfall of a mere 4.4mm. The greatest amount of rain in a 24-hour period, 27.0mm, was recorded in Mekrijärvi in Ilomantsi on the 22th of the month.

At the end of the month there were just a few centimetres of snow mainly in Koillismaa and Northern Lapland, whereas on average snow covers the central and northern parts of the country at the end of October. Northern Lapland had over 10cm of snow.

Further information:

Weather statistics from the Climate Service Centre, tel. 0600 1 0601 (€4,01/min + local charges)Weather forecasts from the meteorologist on duty 24 h/day tel. 0600 1 0600 (€4,01/min + local charges)