Finland in the deep freeze all this week
The Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) predicts severe cold to continue until at least next weekend.
Early Monday, a new cold record for this winter was set in Kuhmo, a town in the country’s east, where the mercury plunged to -35.4 degrees Celsius.
Finland is experiencing the bitterest cold in the central eastern provinces of North Karelia, Koillismaa and Kainuu where temperatures hover between -30 to -35 degrees Celsius.
The municipality of Heinola was frostiest location in southern Finland, with a low of -23.1 degrees, while Helsinki was relatively balmy at just -15.
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After a mild start to the winter, frigid air is now pouring into Finland from the east. This Russian blast will keep the country in the deep freeze all week, says FMI meteorologist Antti Jylhä-Ollilla.
Early this week, southern and western areas will experience lows of -15 to -25, while the east and Lapland, Finland’s northernmost province, will get readings between -30 and -35.
There is no sign of a warming trend before next weekend, nor is there any new snow in sight. Winds will remain light.
In southernmost Finland, the sun has already gained enough strength to raise temperatures by around five degrees during the daytime. Up North, it still has a negligible impact.
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