Finland and Sweden hit -40°C, breaking winter records

In an unprecedented turn of weather events, Finland and Sweden were plunged into the depths of winter as temperatures hit a bone-chilling minus 40 degrees Celsius, marking the coldest recorded temperatures of the season.

As reported by AP, the Arctic blast wreaked havoc on transportation networks across the Nordic region, disrupting normalcy in Norway, where a major southern highway closure and suspended ferry operations became grim indicators of the harsh weather conditions. Swedish train operators grappled with substantial disruptions in the Arctic north due to the relentless cold.

The small village of Nikkaluokta, home to the indigenous Sami people in northern Sweden, recorded an astonishing minus 41.6 degrees Celsius early Tuesday, setting a winter low. Meteorologist Nils Holmqvist from SVT emphasized, “It’s the coldest temperature we have had so far this winter, and it will continue to be quite cold weather in the north.”

The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute issued warnings for snow and wind in central and southern Sweden, with temperatures plummeting to minus 30 degrees Celsius in various locations in northern Sweden. A second-highest warning, in effect until Wednesday, highlights the severity of the ongoing cold snap.

In neighboring Finland, the northwestern town of Ylivieska experienced its winter low, with temperatures dropping to minus 37.8 degrees Celsius. Forecasters predict temperatures below minus 40 degrees Celsius in parts of the nation throughout the week, creating challenges for residents and authorities alike.

As the winter onslaught continues, the Finnish capital, Helsinki, anticipates temperatures ranging between minus 15 and minus 20 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, in southern Norway's town of Arendal, school closures are enforced due to the inability to clear sidewalks promptly, leaving children stranded in the face of icy conditions.

Ferry companies in the region faced disruptions, with numerous cancellations reported. In Denmark, a key bridge was closed to vehicles with light trailers due to strong winds, compounding the challenges posed by the relentless cold front. The Nordic nations find themselves in the grip of an extreme winter, navigating through a landscape transformed by plummeting temperatures and icy conditions.

[With information sourced from AP]