January temperatures about 10°C above normal in parts of northern Sweden, says weather service
January was warm one for Sweden, which saw average temperatures for the winter month several degrees above normal.
Measurements from the national weather service SMHI showed the average temperature for the month about 5°C warmer in southern and central Sweden and up to about 10°C warmer in parts of the north of the country.
Erik Engström, a climatologist at the government agency, says the warmer weather is linked to climate change with research showing that the effects from higher greenhouse gases will be felt more acutely at the earth’s polar regions.
He also says it’s too soon to tell if freezing temperatures and snow will return any time soon to the lower half of the country.
Listen to the report to hear an interview with Erik Engström.
Frank Radosevich
frank.radosevich_ii@sverigesradio.se
Related stories from around the North:
Canada: Global ocean temperatures hit new record highs in 2019 causing devastating effects in the Arctic, Eye on the Arctic
Finland: 40 C temperature gap between northern and southern Finland, Yle News
Norway: Temperatures on Svalbard have been above normal for 100 straight months, The Independent Barents Observer
Russia: Russian climate report stresses adaptation but no reduction in fossil fuel extraction, The Independent Barents Observer
Sweden: Small fires break out due to dry conditions, Radio Sweden
United States: Temperatures nearing all-time records in Southcentral Alaska, Alaska Public Media