Finland’s last snow melts a month earlier than usual

The Finnish Meteorological Institute reports that it expects the last snow in Finland to melt on Sunday.

Measurement stations throughout the country have seen the white stuff disappear, and now the last bit of snow in the popular ski resort municipality of Kittilä in Finnish Lapland (north) is expected to make its exit before the evening arrives. Just one month ago there was still over a metre of snow that had accumulated there.

Finland’s snow has melted far ahead of schedule this year, thanks to the warm temperatures and sunshine Finland has enjoyed in May.

For the last several decades, the last pockets of snow in the north have only melted away in mid-June.

Related stories from around the North:

Canada: Feds announce funding to tackle climate change in Inuit region of Atlantic Canada, Radio Canada International

Finland: Northern Finland braces for worst spring floods in decades, YLE News

Germany: While Arctic melts, sweltering Germany hosts UN climate talks, Deutsche Welle’s Iceblogger

Norway: February Arctic sea ice at a record low in 2018, The Independent Barents Observer

Russia: On thin ice, North Pole camp folds after only 12 days, The Independent Barents Observer

Sweden: Swedish rivers overflow as heatwave melts northern snow, Radio Sweden

United States: Rapid Arctic warming is increasing the frequency of blizzards in U.S. Northeast: study, Radio Canada International