An intense heatwave has swept across Finland and Sweden, pushing temperatures beyond 30°C in some regions and triggering health and safety warnings.
Northern Europe is facing an unusually intense heatwave, with Finland and Sweden experiencing record-breaking temperatures and issuing widespread warnings to the public.
As of early Monday evening, Finland's Meteorological Institute (FMI) issued yellow-level alerts for "potentially dangerous temperatures" across most of the country, while Sweden's weather service issued similar warnings, particularly in the north.
In Finland, the heat alert threshold is triggered when temperatures hit 27°C or when the daily average surpasses 20°C. In Sweden, yellow alerts are declared if forecasts predict highs above 30°C for four consecutive days.
On Monday, much of Finland experienced clear skies and sweltering temperatures. The previous national summer high of 31.5°C recorded on Sunday in Kaskinen was surpassed by a new record of 31.6°C on Monday in the same city, according to the FMI.
"This week is shaping up to be the hottest of the summer so far," said FMI meteorologist Jani Sorsa to Finnish news agency STT.
Finland’s Institute for Health and Welfare (THL) issued public health warnings, urging people—especially those over the age of 75—to stay hydrated, avoid the sun, and limit physical activity during peak heat hours.
In Sweden, the Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) forecast highs ranging from 26°C to 33°C in several regions. Swedish Television meteorologist Nils Holmqvist warned the heat could lead to as many as 600 heat-related deaths under current conditions.
Heatwaves are becoming a growing concern in the Nordics, where they have historically been rare. According to THL specialist Virpi Kollanus, heat-related deaths in Finland have increased since 2000, reversing a long-term decline that began in the 1970s.
"The earlier decline likely resulted from better living standards and improved public health," Kollanus told Finnish broadcaster Yle. "Now, heatwaves are more frequent and the population is aging."
The FMI said two-week heatwaves are still uncommon, typically occurring once every decade. Only six three-week heatwaves have been recorded since 1961, with the most recent in 2021.
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