February was colder than usual

According to the statistics of the Finnish Meteorological Institute, February was colder than usual in the entire country. The average temperature of the month varied between approximately -5 degrees Celsius in the south-western archipelago and -18 degrees in Northern Lapland. Compared to the average for 1991–2020, the average temperature in February was 3–6 degrees lower throughout the country. This means that February was unusually cold around the country.

The highest temperature in February was 6.3 degrees Celsius, which was measured in Western Harbour, Mariehamn, on 28 February. The lowest temperature of the month. -35.8 degrees, was measured on the first of the month in Naruska, Salla.

High pressure kept rainfall low in February

The February precipitation levels were lower than usual in many places, as high-pressure weather prevailed in the Nordic region for a long time. In many parts of Lapland, precipitation levels were unusually low. The month’s precipitation varied from 5.9 millimetres at Nellim, Inari, to 46.9 millimetres at the Anjala observation station in Kouvola. The highest amount of precipitation within a 24-hour period, 27.2 millimetres, was measured at the Anjala observation station in Kouvola, on 26 February.

At the end of February, snow depth was below average in most parts of the country. It varied between a few centimetres in the southwest of the country and 88 centimetres in Pokka, Kittilä. In the eastern part of the country, snow depth deviated from the usual levels by as much as 20–30 centimetres. In most of Lapland, snow was slightly deeper than the average.

Apart from Lapland, the number of hours of sunshine was higher than usual in February.

The lowest temperature of the winter was measured in early January

According to the statistics of the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the average temperature in winter, or December–February, varied from around -1°C in Åland to around -16°C in Northern Lapland. In the whole country, the average temperature was colder than usual compared to the long-term average in 1991–2020: the temperature deviation was roughly two degrees in most parts of the country, while in Lapland it was two to five degrees. In some parts of Lapland, winter was therefore unusually cold.

The lowest temperature in the winter months was -42.8°C, which was measured in Tulppio, Savukoski, on 9 January. The highest temperature was 8.9 degrees, which was observed at Mariehamn Airport on 10 December.

There was widely less rain than usual during this winter. Precipitation was lowest, 57 mm, in Laitala, Toholampi, and the highest in Jomalaby in Jomala, 166.6 mm. Precipitation levels were unusually low in some places during this winter.

During the winter months, the sun was shining almost a normal amount throughout the country.

Further information:

Climate Statistics https://en.ilmatieteenlaitos.fi/statistics

Weather statistics from the Climate Service, tel. +358 600 1 0601 (€ 4.06/min + local network fee)