Finland Shivers as Temperatures Plunge to Winter’s Lowest Levels

Finland experienced the coldest temperatures of the winter so far on Friday morning, as a sharp cold snap tightened its grip across large parts of the country.

In southern Finland, temperatures dropped to extreme lows not seen earlier this season. In the southeastern city of Lappeenranta, thermometers recorded minus 31.1 degrees Celsius at around 8am, marking the lowest reading of the winter in the area. Western Uusimaa also saw bitter conditions, with the municipality of Vihti reporting minus 29.3 degrees during the early morning hours.

The cold was even more severe in the north. Across Lapland, temperatures widely ranged between minus 30 and minus 35 degrees, reinforcing the region’s reputation for harsh winter weather. Clear skies and calm conditions contributed to the dramatic overnight cooling.

By contrast, central parts of Finland were spared the worst of the freeze. Increased cloud cover helped keep temperatures relatively milder, generally hovering between minus 15 and minus 20 degrees.

Meteorologists say such sharp temperature differences between regions are typical during prolonged cold spells, especially when cloud cover varies. While the cold weather is expected to continue in many areas, conditions may ease slightly if clouds increase and winds pick up over the coming days.