Weather and Climate Applications

Our group studies climate variability, climate change and climate impacts at different scales. We especially focus on biometeorology and bioclimate, microclimate observations and modelling, wildfires, and the health impacts of weather and climate. Based on our research, we develop new services for the needs of different sectors of society and actively engage in climate communication. We develop climate data and map services and produce custom climate change assessments.

The main focus areas of our group

• We study weather and climate impacts on natural environment, e.g., forests and Arctic regions.

• We develop novel microclimatic impact modelling and related measurements for very fine spatial and temporal scales.

• We study the impacts of weather and climate on human health, including risks associated with heat stress and the environmental conditions that facilitate vector-borne diseases.

• We participate in the editorial board of the FMI's monthly Climate Bulletin and the coordination of the national climate change portal, Climateguide.fi.

Stakeholder cooperation

• Our experts produce climate information to support national climate policy, e.g. to the monitoring of the implementation of the National Climate Change Adaptation Plan 2030.

• We cooperate with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to develop and promote the use of weather and climate services for the health sector.

• Our expert is also a member of the steering group of ClimaHealth.info portal.

• Our expert is a member of the Finnish Nature Panel and the Finnish National IPBES working group.

• Our experts are involved in the Finnish National coordination group for nature information (Lukki) which develops the production, use and sharing of nature information produced in Finland.

• We are involved in two working groups of the Arctic Council: one focuses on biodiversity (Circumarctic Flora and Fauna – CAFF) and the other produces information about the Arctic environment and its changes to support decision making (Arctic Monitoring & Assessment Programme – AMAP).

• Our expert participates the global network of researchers (Microclimate Ecology & Biogeography) which studies microclimates.

Examples of notable outputs

Our experts have been involved in producing several research publications, datasets, and services:

Reports

• AMAP Arctic climate change update 2024: Key trends and impacts

• Adaptation to climate change in Finland : Current state and future prospects

Articles

• A new era of bioclimatic extremes in the terrestrial Arctic

• Bioclimate change across the protected area network of Finland

• Temperature-related mortality in Helsinki compared to its surrounding region over two decades, with special emphasis on intensive heatwaves

• Pedestrian wintertime slip and fall injuries—effectiveness of weather warning service in prevention

• Impact of selected meteorological factors on COVID-19 incidence in Southern Finland during 2020–2021

• Future scenarios for heating and cooling degree days in Finland

Datasets

• Monthly mean temperature gridded data (10x10 km2) since 1961 (Paituli spatial data download service)

• Monthly mean precipitation gridded data (10x10 km2) since 1961 (Paituli spatial data download service)

• Bioclimatic atlas of the terrestrial Arctic

• Heating and cooling degree day sums derived from CMIP6 climate projections

Services

• Wild berries predictions (map service of the Natural Resources Institute Finland, Luke) (Marjasää project)