Cold change coming to Finland, slightly warmer in Sydney

The last remnants of warm temperatures have been seen in Jyväskylä during the past week, but a cold change is imminent. Dry conditions have also continued up until today, but rain is likely to accompany the drop in temperatures.

Yesterday was the first day since September 2 that temperatures didn't climb above 15C at Jyväskylä Airport. It only reached 14.1C, the second coldest maximum for the month so far after September 1's 13.1C. Daily maximum values were fairly consistent though from Monday the 15th until Friday, ranging from 16.1C to 17.9C. These figures have been the highest among those from the five years prior for the same dates.

Despite the warm daytime temperatures, low minimums also continued. The eight day stretch from September 13 to yesterday had minimums ranging between -1.4C and 2.5C with an average of only 0.9C. It's worth keeping in mind that these measurements are from Tikkakoski, as minimums in the city area of Jyväskylä have been hovering more around 5C. However, these are definitely on the lower end of temperatures seen for this time of year since 2009.

Morning fog in Jyväskylä on September 17

This evening has seen a few patches of rain, along with a few small storm cells, move east across Finland. The next 36 hours or so will see temperatures continually drop right down to and below 0C across the southern half of the country. Current forecasts for tomorrow afternoon at 3pm in Jyväskylä have a prediction of only 5C. Sun should return on Tuesday and Wednesday, but it probably won't climb higher than 7C or 8C.

This time of year is arguably the most colourful. Colours in Viitaniemi on September 21

All of the leaves on these trees will fall in the next few weeks

The late arrival of winter to Sydney this year seems to have meant that it has just carried on longer than what has been seen in recent years. Daily maximums this month, as well as minimums, have clearly been on the lower end of the scale for September. Of the years since 2009, only 2010 (the coldest of the five previous years) saw comparable figures.

Since the 26.5C seen on September 11, no day has passed the 25C barrier. September 1 is the only other day to pass that mark so far this month. In addition to that, of the past four days, only one managed to get above 20C. Yesterday's minimum of 8.7C also equalled the month's lowest, set on the 2nd.

Forecasts for the coming week are a little more promising. All days up until September 28 have a predicted top above 20C. However, the highest of those is only 24C for both the 24th and 25th.