Finland faces unusual late-winter snow shortage as spring thaw gives way to forecasted cold snap

Snow cover across Finland has reached exceptionally low levels for this time of year, with bare ground reported in many regions—including parts of southern Lapland—after recent warm weather and rain rapidly melted remaining snow, public broadcaster Yle reports.

Meteorologist Elias Paakkanen notes that central and eastern Finland, as well as southern Kainuu and Northern Ostrobothnia, are now largely snow-free. “Normally, snowpack would be near its seasonal peak in March,” he said. While Helsinki sees early spring blooms and snakes emerging from hibernation, Lapland’s ski resorts, such as Levi, still report deep snow.

The unusual conditions stem from a persistently low-snow winter, compounded by heavy rainfall in late February and early March, which accelerated melting. Rain, Paakkanen explains, destroys snow far faster than sunshine alone.

Despite local variations—such as Mikkeli’s airport weather station recording 9 cm of snow while the city center remains bare—Paakkanen warns against switching to summer tires prematurely. Forecasts suggest a “return of winter” during Easter week, with colder air masses and potential snowfall, including sleet in southern regions.

“Northern Finland still offers the best skiing conditions,” he added, urging caution for holiday travelers.

Tags: weather, Finland, climate