Finland's intense cold spell is set for a potential and dramatic reversal this Thursday, with forecasts indicating a low-pressure system could push temperatures towards the freezing point in southern regions. This follows weeks of significantly below-average temperatures that have gripped the nation, particularly in the north where nighttime lows have consistently plunged below minus 30 degrees Celsius. The shift, while still uncertain in its exact trajectory, promises to bring a messy mix of snow, wind, and a sudden, significant thaw to parts of the country that have been locked in a deep freeze.
The Current Deep Freeze
Meteorologist Anna Latvala from Foreca confirmed the ongoing cold pattern for the early week. Monday and Tuesday will see daytime temperatures primarily ranging between minus 5 and minus 15 degrees Celsius across much of Finland. 'It is not particularly cold, nor is the coming night,' Latvala stated, noting that on the southern and western coasts, temperatures could occasionally hover around just under minus five degrees. No severe frosts are currently anticipated for southern Finland. In stark contrast, the north continues to experience relentless cold, with nighttime temperatures still dropping to over 30 degrees below zero in places, maintaining a harsh winter landscape.
This period has been markedly colder than usual for late January and early February. The persistent high-pressure dome has kept skies clear and temperatures dangerously low, impacting energy consumption, transportation, and daily life. The frost has been a dominant feature of the Finnish winter, creating ideal conditions for winter activities but also posing challenges for infrastructure and vulnerable populations. The stability of this weather pattern is now being challenged by atmospheric changes moving from the southwest.
Thursday's Dramatic Turn
The major change is linked to a developing low-pressure system expected to approach from the southwest on Thursday. 'It is possible that the same type of weather continues, but recently another alternative has begun to appear, namely a low pressure may arrive from the southwest,' Latvala explained. This system is forecast to bring widespread snowfall and strengthening winds as it moves across the country. The precise path of this low-pressure area remains the critical factor that will determine the extent of warming and precipitation.
If the system sweeps across Finland towards the north, it will pull in milder air masses in its wake. 'There exists some kind of possibility that in the southern and central parts of the country, the temperature could reach around zero in places,' Latvala said, emphasizing that forecasts will become more precise closer to the event. A rise from minus double digits to around zero degrees Celsius within a 48-hour period would constitute a sharp and impactful meteorological event, potentially leading to slushy conditions and changing snow quality.
Regional Variations and Impacts
The effects of this shifting weather pattern will be highly regional. Northern Finland is likely to see increased snowfall from the system but will probably remain well below freezing, with the intense cold moderating only slightly. Central regions may experience a transition from dry, severe cold to wetter snow and temperatures creeping towards minus five or higher. The most dramatic change is reserved for southern and western coastal areas, where the invading milder air will be most pronounced.
This shift could transform the environment quickly. Road conditions may deteriorate as falling snow turns wetter, and existing compacted snow and ice on pavements could become slippery. The construction and transportation sectors will need to adjust to the changing conditions, moving from frost-related challenges to those posed by thawing and precipitation. The early week will also see scattered, light snow showers moving across the country, serving as a precursor to the more significant system expected later.
A Longer-Term Warming Trend
Looking beyond this week's potential turnaround, the broader forecast suggests a continued moderation of temperatures as February progresses. 'If we go closer to the end of February, the weekly average does not look as cold as the week now beginning,' Latvala noted. The trend indicates a move towards more typical seasonal temperatures for late winter, though cold days are still expected. 'Nothing prevents it at this time of year – but it is as if there is a slight uphill climb coming in terms of temperature,' she added, describing the gradual warming trend.
This aligns with the typical climatic transition from the deepest winter cold of January and early February towards the gradually lengthening days and moderating temperatures of late February and March. The extreme cold of the past weeks represents a peak, and the atmospheric patterns are now beginning to evolve. The predicted shift on Thursday could be the first major step in this seasonal transition, breaking the stronghold of the continental high-pressure system that has dominated Scandinavia's weather.
While the possibility of a return to brief cold spells remains, the overall trajectory points to a less harsh winter regime. The focus for meteorologists will now be on monitoring the development and exact track of the Thursday low-pressure system, which holds the key to unlocking the deep freeze. For Finns across the country, the forecast offers the prospect of a noticeable, and for many, welcome, softening of a particularly bitter winter chapter.