Mild December Breaks Climate Records

Average mean temperatures were 6 to 8 degrees higher across the country than during the period from 1971 to 2000.

In the southern part of Finland, the average December temperature was one degree higher than the highest figure ever recorded.

Record high temperatures were registered across the board. For example, the average temperature at Helsinki, Kaisaniemi was 4.0 degrees Celsius compared to the previously highest ever measured figure of 2.9 degrees in 1929.

Nordlund says developments in the weather are clearly in line with predictions regarding global warming. The Finnish Meteorological Institute emphasises that such December temperatures could become the norm if greenhouse gas emissions are not adequately reduced.