This past January was the coldest in northern Finland since 1987, according to the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI).

Statistics from the institute revealed on Monday that January was colder than usual throughout the country. The average temperature for the month ranged from around -2 degrees Celsius in the southwestern archipelago to around -20 in Finnish Lapland.

The highest temperature in January was 4.3 degrees, measured on 17 January on Lemland in the autonomous Åland islands. In nearly all of mainland Finland, the mercury remained below zero for virtually the entire month, crossing only slightly above zero for a few days in some areas.

The lowest temperature of the month was -42.8, measured in Savukoski, Lapland, on the 9th of the month. That was the third-coldest reading in Finland so far this century.

Skimpy precipitation

Precipitation was unusually low in many places during January. The monthly total ranged from 2.8mm in the northernmost village of Nuorgam, with a maximum of over 56mm in Åland.

In much of the country, precipitation was roughly a quarter of normal, with snow cover thinner than usual in many places.

Some observation stations in central and eastern Finland measured the lowest January precipitation ever, including in Jyväskylä and Lieksa. There were also fewer hours of sunshine than usual across the country.

The all-time January cold record dates back to 1999, when the mercury sank to 51.5 degrees in Pokka, Kittilä (video report below).

The FMI has compiled comprehensive temperature statistics since 1961. Since then, the temperature has only dropped below -50 degrees Celsius once, apart from the 1999 record. In early January 1985, it fell to -50.4 degrees Celsius in Salla, Lapland.

Low wind spurs pricey electricity

Meanwhile spot prices for electricity hit a record high for this winter so far on Monday as temperatures plunged to around -25 degrees even in southernmost parts of the country.

Monday’s average exchange price is just over 38 cents per kilowatt-hour, having spiked to just over 61 cents before 8am.

Roughly one-third of customers have spot-priced electricity contracts, with rates fluctuating based on supply and demand.

The previous record daily price this winter was last Friday, when it averaged just over 31 cents.

Exchange-traded electricity has been pricey so far in 2026 due to cold temperatures as well as limits to wind power production because of calm weather and icing of wind turbines.