The Finnish Meteorological Institute (Ilmatieteen laitos, in Finnish) has set alerts for freezing temperatures in several cities in Northern Finland. These alerts will be active until this night, because it is expected that the temperatures will warm up from tomorrow.
The institute warns that these extremely low temperatures can affect people with chronic illnesses, who would experience more symptoms than usual, and also may cause cold stress and complicate outdoor activities.
The regions under extreme cold warnings are Pelkosenniemi, Sodankylä, Enontekiö, Savukoski, Salla, Inari and Utsjoki.
New cold record
In fact, yesterday evening Utsjoki reached a heavy frost record for this year, when thermometers marked -38.8 °C. Besides, some neighbouring areas registered temperatures under -30°C.
These extreme cold temperatures contrast with what is happening in the south of the country, where the thermal winter (temperatures constantly below zero) has not even been reached.
*Image map: Ilmatieteen laitos.
