The coldest January in eight years

According to the statistics of the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the average temperature in January varied from approximately –3 degrees Celsius in the southwest archipelago to –17 degrees Celsius in Eastern Lapland. January was colder than usual in the whole country. The temperature deviation from the long-term average was mainly between 3°C and 6°C. On average, such a cold January occurs every 5 to 10 years. The previous colder January was in 2016.

The year began in freezing temperatures, and during the first week of January it was occasionally even exceptionally cold. The lowest temperature in January, –44.3 degrees, was recorded at Enontekiö Airport, on the 5th day of the month. The highest temperature in January, 5.7 degrees Celsius, was measured at Kemi I lighthouse, on 9 January, as well as at Hammarland Märket, on the 22nd of the month.

The last week of January saw very mild temperatures, compared to the seasonal average.

Precipitation levels near normal

In January, precipitation levels were close to or slightly below normal levels. The precipitation was mainly 20‒60 millimetres. According to preliminary data, the highest amount of precipitation in January was 71.8 mm, recorded in Huhtilampi, Joensuu. The lowest precipitation, according to preliminary data, was 13.2 mm, recorded in Laitala, Toholampi.

At the end of the month, there was snow in mainland Finland from about 15 centimetres in Southwest Finland to 96 centimetres in Kilpisjärvi. In Åland and the southwest archipelago, there was a few centimetres of snow. In many places, the snow depth was approximately 10 centimetres higher than usual.

More information:

Climate in Finland

Weather statistics from the Climate Service, tel. 0600 1 0601 (€ 4.01/min + local network fee)