Winter finally over in northern Finland? Last of the Kilpisjärvi ice expected to melt this week

The cold spring is responsible for delaying the ice melt by about a week, according to the Finnish Environment Agency. (iStock)
It might not be the warmest summer on record, but Finland is set to finally see the end of the winter ice on one of its most famous lakes this week. Kilpisjärvi still had about 67 centimetres of ice on 10 June, but that should go in the coming days.

In Enontekiö, in Finnish Lapland, people have been able to go ice fishing and ice swimming into June.

“Someone rode a snow scooter on the eighth of June, or was it the tenth,” said Suvi Mansikkasalo of the Kilpisjärvi visitor centre. “It looked wild, but he made it back to the shore.”

Last week the Finnish Environment Agency reminded tourists and locals alike that it’s dangerous to venture out onto weak lake ice. In truth the ice is now only at the northern end of the lake.

Record June ice

“The lower part of the lake has already melted completely,” said Mansikkasalo. “The northern part of the lake has ice around Kolttalahti, and it won’t be long before that’s gone. I reckon that it will disappear by the end of the week, or most of it at least.”

On 10 June the ice on lake Kilpisjärvi was measured at 67 centimetres, which is an all-time record for June. Generally ice has completely gone at Kilpisjärvi by the Midsummer holiday, but in 2016 it had all melted by the start of June.

The cold spring is responsible for delaying the ice melt by about a week, according to the Environment Agency. Most Lapland lakes were ice-free by the start of June.

Kilpisjärvi is exceptional as it is situated some 500 metres above sea level at the foot of the Saana fell, and tends to begin freezing again in October or November. Midsummer traditionally sees a 180-metre cross country skiing event on the remaining snow around the fell.

Related stories from around the North:

Canada: Arctic nations sign scientific cooperation agreement, Radio Canada International

Finland: Coldest spring in 20 years in northern Finland, The Independent Barents Observer

Greenland: Arctic sea ice – Is the minimum maximum the new normal?, blog by Irene Quaile, Deutsche Welle

Norway: As Arctic weather dramatically changes, world meteorologists take on more joint forecasting, The Independent Barents Observer

Russia: 2016, warmest year on record in Russian Arctic, The Independent Barents Observer

Sweden: Sweden’s glaciers are melting away, Radio Sweden

United States: U.S. ends Arctic Council chairmanship with reluctance on climate action, Alaska Dispatch News

Yle News

For more news from Finland visit Yle News.

One thought on “Winter finally over in northern Finland? Last of the Kilpisjärvi ice expected to melt this week

  • Thursday, June 29, 2017 at 13:57
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    Just to say how I love your Eye on the Arctic , I went to Sweden, Finland and Lapland for a couple of weeks last summer and I’m still longing for it.

    Northern Canada? Maybe next year, but in winter!
    Fabio Tagetti – Italy

    Reply
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