What is the coldest temperature ever recorded in Finland?
The national cold record and where the coldest nights usually occur.
Short answer
Finland's official cold record is -51.5 °C. It was measured at Pokka in Kittilä, Lapland, in January 1999. Such temperatures are very rare: in a typical winter the lowest readings in Lapland and eastern Finland are -45 to -50 °C.
Why
- Climateguide.fi gives the record low as -51.5 °C at Pokka, Kittilä, in January 1999.
- The Finnish Meteorological Institute lists the same -51.5 °C reading from 1999.
- FMI says the typical lowest winter temperatures are -45 to -50 °C in Lapland and eastern Finland.
Details
The coldest nights happen in still, clear weather when cold air collects in low ground, such as river valleys and bogs.
Tip
At below -30 °C, cover your face and keep phone and camera batteries inside your jacket, as cold drains them fast.
What may differ
Helsinki's own record is far less extreme. The FMI lists -34.3 °C from 1987 for the capital.
Common misconception
Finland regularly has -60 °C winters.
What actually happens
The lowest temperature ever measured in Finland is -51.5 °C, and readings below -50 °C are rare.
People also ask
- What is the record low in Lapland?
- What is the coldest place in Finland?
- How cold was it in Helsinki in 1987?
Sources
This answer is for reference only. Weather varies a lot from year to year, so check the forecast of the Finnish Meteorological Institute before you travel.
Weather & SeasonsRelated questions
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When does the snow melt in Finland?
Visit Finland says snow melts first on the southern coast, while Lapland keeps its snow into May.
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When does autumn start in Finland?
The Finnish Meteorological Institute says autumn begins when the daily mean temperature stays below 10 °C.
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What is the weather like in Helsinki in winter?
Visit Finland gives typical winter temperatures of -3 to -8 °C in Helsinki.
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When is the best time for skiing in Lapland?
Late winter and spring are the best time.