Finland first snowfall arrived this week in Kilpisjärvi, Lapland, after an unusually long stretch of mild autumn weather. The Finnish Meteorological Institute confirmed that by 9 a.m. on Wednesday, six centimetres of snow had settled across the area, officially marking the beginning of the winter season.
Meteorologist Heikki Sinisalo confirmed the measurement and noted that the snow was likely to remain on the ground until at least Friday. “Elsewhere in Finland, temperatures will rise clearly above zero today, but Kilpisjärvi is on the borderline,” Sinisalo said.
Temperatures in the area are expected to stay close to freezing throughout the week, with some uncertainty about whether the snow will last beyond the weekend. Residents have already begun to notice the seasonal shift, even as much of the country still experiences relatively warm autumn temperatures.
For Finland’s first snowfall to be officially recorded, the Finnish Meteorological Institute requires at least one centimetre of snow on the ground at 9 a.m. This consistent measurement time helps maintain long-term accuracy and comparability in national snowfall records.
The Institute explained that this year’s first snow was slightly delayed compared to the average, due to warmer-than-usual autumn conditions across most of the country. The late arrival is part of a broader trend of fluctuating weather patterns seen across Northern Europe in recent years.
Residents of Kilpisjärvi often take pride in being among the first in Finland to experience snowfall each year. Many view it as the start of the long Arctic winter, which transforms the region into one of the country’s most picturesque landscapes.
While southern Finland still awaits its first flakes, meteorologists predict colder air masses could move in over the coming weeks. If conditions hold, Lapland’s snow cover may deepen before the end of October, signaling a gradual return to the country’s traditional winter climate.
