Heatwave continues in Finland

Recent warm summer weather continued in Finland over the weekend. Heat warnings have been in place for the last few days across most of the country as temperatures soared above 30C. The record for the hottest temperature in Jyväskylä this year was set once again on Friday, while the new national record was set on Saturday.

The temperature has hovered around 30C in Jyväskylä since last Wednesday. The somewhat magic milestone of going above 30C was achieved on Friday July 25. It reached 30.3C then. Saturday followed that up with a top of 30.2C. Yesterday fell just short with another 29.9C recording. Saturday was also responsible for breaking the national record for 2014. A recording of 32.5C was measured near Kouvola at Utti Airport in the country's south east.

The view north from Juurikkasaari in Säynätsalo just south of Jyväskylä on July 26

The heat barrier for Finland, known as 'helle', is broken when the temperature climbs above 25.1C. Today made it 12 consecutive hellepäivät (päivä = day) at Jyväskylä Airport. While the extremes of 2010 still haven't been seen this summer in Finland (temperatures reaching up to and above 35C), the prolonged heat has been very unusual. To put into perspective how unusual and remarkable this is, the record summer of 2010 saw a highest streak of 10 days at Jyväskylä Airport above 25C. This current streak could possibly last another 2 or 3 days as well.

Today also made it 18 consecutive days in Jyväskylä above 20C. Since 2009, the longest run above 20C came in 2010; 26 days between June 28 and July 23. Current forecasts show this current run lasting at least another 9 days, stretching the streak to at least 27. Of recent years, 2012 had the lowest overall streak of days above 20C, a run of only 10.

Storm clouds building over Jyväskylä during the afternoon of July 28

This afternoon saw storms build across most of the country and move north east. Only 0.2mm had been recorded by 8pm at Tikkakoski, but some locations elsewhere have seen very heavy falls. In addition to the heat warnings, there have been storm and rain warnings in place throughout the southern half of Finland since yesterday.

Cooler temperatures closer to 25C are expected later this week, but extended forecasts show a return to hot weather next Monday. There have been some reports that it could reach as high as 35C in parts of Finland then.