Record high temperatures recorded in Utsjoki, Finland

Record high temperatures continue in Utsjoki, Finland’s northernmost municipality. On Thursday, the Kevo measuring station recorded an autumn high of 21.3 degrees Celsius in the afternoon. According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, this marks the latest occurrence of temperatures exceeding 20 degrees in Central and North Lapland since measurement records began in the 1960s. Even higher temperatures were noted at the measurement station in Pellon Kirkonkylä in South Lapland, where a reading of 22.2 degrees was recorded, the highest temperature across Finland on Thursday.

The Meteorological Institute forecasts a cooling trend this weekend, with temperatures unlikely to reach 20 degrees anywhere in the country. Remarkably, September has been warmer than the average July. Otso Suominen, the director of the Kevo Research Station at the University of Turku, notes that this year has set a temperature record in Utsjoki. The cumulative heat record has been surpassed long ago, with warmth extending well into autumn.

“The average temperature during the first ten days of September was higher than the typical average temperature for July,” Suominen observes. He emphasizes that drought poses a greater challenge for plants than heat. For example, the water level in Lake Kevojärvi is currently lower than ever recorded for this time of year since measurements began in 1962. “For the plants that have adequate water, a rich bloom can be expected next year,” adds Suominen.