Finland Scorched: Arctic Heatwave Shatters Records

Reindeer Struggle as temperatures soar over 30°C

Finland, a nation accustomed to frigid Arctic temperatures, is grappling with an unprecedented heatwave, registering some of the highest July readings in its history. Temperatures have consistently surpassed 30°C, a rare event for the country.

Lapland Endures Record-Breaking Warmth

The extreme heat has even impacted Finnish Lapland, the northernmost region. In Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, a remarkable 15 consecutive days of high temperatures have been recorded, a duration not seen in the nation since 1972. Meteorologists note that typical Finnish heatwaves last around three days with maximums of 25°C, making these current conditions exceptionally unusual.

“That record has already broken,” stated Jaakko Savela, a meteorologist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute. He clarified that the event in the 1970s lasted between 12 and 14 days.

The peak temperature recorded during this intense period was 31.7°C in the Lapland localities of Ylitornio and Sodankylä. This figure is a staggering 10°C above the average seasonal temperature for the area.

Climate Change’s Grip on the Arctic

Experts are attributing the severity and duration of these heatwaves to climate change, particularly its accelerated impact on the Arctic region, which is warming four to five times faster than the global average. While Savela conceded that this specific heatwave wasn’t solely caused by climate change, he emphasized its significant role: He has had an impact: without him, the temperatures of the last two weeks would have been lower.

Wildlife Faces Unforeseen Challenges

The sweltering conditions are taking a toll on Finland’s iconic reindeer population in Lapland. As temperatures rise, mosquitoes, which thrive in warmer weather, become more abundant, harassing the animals. This forces the reindeer to seek refuge, often moving towards more populated roads and areas, inadvertently increasing their risk of accidents.

Jeff Weller, Professor of Research at the University of the Arctic at the University of Oulu, explained the limited options for the animals: For reindeer, the only option would be to go to higher and higher elevations, but in Finnish Lapia the highest elevation is only about 1,000 meters.

Looking ahead, if such heatwaves persist, reindeer herders may need to implement significant adaptations. Weller warned that reindeer shepherds could end up having to build large barns to shade their animals.

This summer’s heat in Finland mirrors global trends, with Europe experiencing record-breaking temperatures. For instance, Sicily, Italy, recently recorded 48.8°C, a potential new European heat record (Source: World Meteorological Organization, 2021).