The Finland heatwave is entering rare territory, with parts of the country now clocking some of the longest stretches of hot weather ever recorded. For two weeks straight, large sections of Finland have seen daily highs crossing the 25°C mark. And it’s not cooling down anytime soon.
In the northern village of Meltosjärvi, located in Ylitornio, Thursday marked the 14th consecutive day that temperatures pushed past 25°C. That equals a record set back in 1972. The Finnish Meteorological Institute confirmed the milestone, noting how unusual it is for Lapland, a region more associated with snow than sun.
Meanwhile, somewhere in Finland, the mercury has touched or passed 30°C every single day for those same 14 days. That kind of consistent heat has only happened once before — also in 1972.
Forecast models from the Finnish Meteorological Institute point toward more of the same. Friday’s outlook brings temperatures rising beyond 30°C again, especially across central and eastern Finland. Eastern areas are also seeing nighttime lows hovering close to or above 20°C, making it hard for homes without air conditioning to cool down at night.
But this stretch of dry, scorching weather is about to shift.
Starting Friday, the north is expected to experience the first signs of change. Thunderstorms are on the radar for northern Finland, with Lapland facing strong gusts and unpredictable skies. Storms may also begin forming in eastern areas, some carrying winds strong enough to cause damage or disrupt plans.
Further south, though, conditions will stay mostly sunny and dry through Friday. But by Sunday, the chance of rain and storms will spread across more of the country. Western Finland in particular is likely to see a spike in instability.
Although the exact timing and location of the rainfall remain hard to pin down, meteorologists are confident the Finland heatwave is not ending just yet. High temperatures will still dominate much of the week ahead, even as clouds and showers pop in here and there.
This extended hot spell isn’t just a local anomaly. It fits into a wider pattern of unusual weather affecting Northern Europe. While past Finnish summers have featured a handful of hot days, this kind of sustained high temperature is increasingly being noted by climate researchers.
People living across Finland are adapting in different ways. Some are shifting work hours, others are seeking lakes and rivers to cool off. Emergency services have urged people to hydrate, avoid strenuous activity during peak hours, and keep an eye out for vulnerable neighbors.
As July winds down, all eyes are on how long the heat will linger. Whether or not the record gets broken, one thing is clear; the Finland heatwave has already carved out a place in history.
