Finland records warmest March in 145 years as early spring arrives

This March has been exceptionally warm in Finland, with average temperatures breaking a 145-year record, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, as reported by Yle.

The mean daily temperature in Helsinki’s Kaisaniemi weather station reached 2.9°C in early March, compared to the typical average of -1.7°C for this period. Meteorologist Hannu Valta described the readings as the highest since records began in 1881.

The unseasonable warmth has triggered early signs of spring across the country. Migratory birds, including skylarks and crested tits, have arrived in southern Finland, while whooper swans and barnacle geese have been spotted in Helsinki. “If you want to hear skylarks singing, any large open field is now a good place for a daytime walk,” said Juha Honkala, curator at the Finnish Museum of Natural History. Collared doves have also returned, with numbers expected to rise in the coming days.

Other early spring indicators include the emergence of wood ants and coltsfoot plants, reported by citizens to the Finnish Biodiversity Observation System. However, experts say the warm spell has not disrupted nature significantly. “Some garden plants have started flowering, but nature hasn’t gone wild yet,” said Henry Väre, chief curator at the museum.

Daytime temperatures in western Finland reached up to 10°C on Monday, levels typically seen in mid-April. Nighttime temperatures remained above freezing across most of the country, except northern Lapland—conditions usually observed around May Day. Meteorologist Anniina Valtonen noted that spring is roughly a month ahead of schedule based on daytime temperatures.

Despite the early warmth, experts say a late cold snap would not severely impact nature. Most plants remain dormant, and migratory birds could retreat south if snow returns. “If fields stay snow-free, birds will find food,” Valtonen said. A late frost in May or June would pose a greater risk to vegetation.

The shift follows a colder-than-average start to the year, with temperatures plummeting during the late-December Hannes storm before abruptly warming in late February.