Tropical nights in the Arctic Circle: European heatwave heads north with 95F temperatures in Sweden as drivers in Finland are warned to watch out for thirsty moose on the roads
- Europe’s record-breaking heatwave moving north to Scandinavian countries
- Laksfors in northern Norway equalled the national record with 96F (35.6C)
- Meteorologists recorded ‘tropical nights’ at 20 locations in south of the country last night
Nordic countries are experiencing searing temperatures as Europe’s record-breaking heatwave moves north, with Norway on Saturday equalling its 1970 record, and many areas recording ‘tropical nights’.
Laksfors in northern Norway on Saturday recorded a temperature of 96F (35.6C), equalling the national record set in Nesbyen in 1970, the country’s meteorology service said on Twitter.
The Norwegian Meteorological Institute also said it had recorded ‘tropical nights’ in 20 different locations in southern Norway, meaning that temperatures stayed above 20 degrees throughout the night.
Boats sail past the crowded bathing area at Sorenga in Oslo at the Norwegian capital’s inner harbor pool. Europe’s record-breaking heatwave moves north, with Norway equalling its 1970 temperature record earlier today
The Norwegian Meteorological Institute also said it had recorded ‘tropical nights’ in 20 different locations in southern Norway. Pictured: Children cool down in the fountain at Spikersuppa in Oslo, Norway
The tropical heat was also felt around other parts of the Nordics and in neighbouring Sweden, with most extreme heat in the country’s far north.
On Friday the small town of Markusvinsa in the far north recorded a temperature of 94.6F (34.8C).
‘That’s the hottest temperature in the far north since 1945 and the third highest temperature on record,’ said Jon Jorpeland, meteorologist at the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute.
Earlier in the week several places in Sweden also experienced ‘tropical nights’.
According to Jorpeland, temperatures in the south of Sweden haven’t been as extreme and it’s not unusual that the mercury reaches 30 degrees a few days a year in the country, even though current temperatures are above average.
SMHI has also issued warnings of potential water shortages in August in 15 of the country’s 21 counties.
The tropical heat was also felt around other parts of the Nordics and in neighbouring Sweden, with most extreme heat in the country’s far north. Pictured: Siblings, Ella and Levi Weiberg cool off in a fountain at Gotaplatsen in central Gothenburg, Sweden
Finnish police even warned motorists to be mindful of moose, who were increasingly crossing roads in search of water to quench their thirst. Pictured: People enjoy dipping into the sea after sweating in Sompasauna, a public sauna in Helsinki, Finland
Heat warnings have been issued in Sweden, Norway and Finland. Pictured: People enjoy the sunset at Akershus Fortress in Oslo, Norway during the week
A seagull attempts to eat a piece of bread during the sunny weather in Oslo, Norway. The World Meteorological Organization on Thursday said forecasts indicated that atmospheric flows would transport the heat from Europe to Greenland ‘resulting in high temperatures and consequently enhanced melting’.
Heat warnings have been issued in Sweden, Norway and Finland and earlier this week Finnish police even warned motorists to be mindful of moose, who were increasingly crossing roads in search of water to quench their thirst.
The World Meteorological Organization on Thursday said forecasts indicated that atmospheric flows would transport the heat from Europe to Greenland ‘resulting in high temperatures and consequently enhanced melting’.
Current predictions indicate the resulting melting of ice could approach the record losses recorded in 2012, the organisation said, citing scientists from the Danish Meteorological Institute.