Mild February in Lapland – winter in Finland was also mild on the whole with little snow
Photo: AdobeStock.According to the statistics of the Finnish Meteorological Institute, February's mean temperature varied from 0°C in the country’s southwest to -7°C in Eastern Lapland. The temperature deviation from the long-term average for 1991–2020 was about two degrees Celsius in the southern part of the country to about seven degrees Celsius in Northern Lapland. February was unusually or even exceptionally mild in Northern Lapland.
The highest temperature in February was 7.3°C, measured in Nellim, Inari, on 07 February. The lowest temperature was -39.6°C, measured in Tulppio, Savukoski, on 04 February.
Less precipitation than usual in February
The amount of precipitation varied from 3.9 millimetres in Joensuu's Lintulahti to 37.8 millimetres in Torppi, Tornio. Much of the country received less precipitation than usual. In some parts of southern and central Finland, precipitation levels were less than a third of the usual amount. There was exceptionally little precipitation in parts of North Karelia.
The south and west coasts were largely snow-free in late February. For the most part, the eastern side of the country had between 20 and 40 centimetres of snow. From Kainuu to Lapland, there was approximately 50 centimetres of snow. The village of Kilpisjärvi had the most snow: 105 centimetres. In much of the country, the amount of snow was unusually or exceptionally low.
The sun shone less than usual throughout the country in February.
Little snow during winter months
According to the statistics of the Finnish Meteorological Institute, the average temperature in winter, or December–February, varied from 0°C on the southwest coast to around -10°C in Eastern Lapland. The average temperature in the whole country was higher than usual when compared to the long-term average for 1991–2020. The temperature deviation was approximately two degrees in most parts of the country. In the southern part of the country, the winter was unusually mild, meaning that on average, similar conditions only occur once per decade or less frequently.
The lowest temperature in the winter months was -39.6°C, which was measured in Tulppio, Savukoski, on 04 February. The highest temperature was 9.5°C, which was measured on 17 January at the Kristiinankaupunki lighthouse.
In winter, the recorded precipitation was lowest in Toholampi (65.9 millimetres) and highest in Koivuniemi, Vironlahti (199.6 millimetres). The amount of precipitation was higher than the average in the southeast and in Central and Northern Lapland. The central parts of the country experienced less precipitation than usual. From December to February, there was unusually little snow in many parts of the west coast, North Ostrobothnia and Kainuu.
During the winter months, the sun shone less than usual throughout the country.
Further information
Download observations Weather statistics from the Climate Service on weekdays, tel. +358 600 1 0601 (€ 4.06/min + local network fee)