The city of Rovaniemi — located 500 km north of the Arctic Circle — is known as the official residence of Santa Claus. It was in this city that the temperature approached 30 degrees, leading to a 15-day heatwave. This is a completely unusual occurrence for Lapland.
The heat wasn't limited to Rovaniemi. Several meteorological stations across Lapland also recorded record-breaking, long-lasting heat. For example, in Ylitornio, the temperature reached 31.7°C — nearly 10 degrees higher than the regional average.
The Arctic climate is one of the fastest-warming on the planet — here, temperatures rise 4–5 times faster than the global average.
Head of the Arctic Research Department at the University of Oulu, Prof. Jeff Weller:
“Today, climate change is showing itself in every corner of the world — through excessive heat, rain, and natural disasters.”
Santa Claus and modern-day challenges
The heat is not only troubling scientists but also Santa himself. He can barely wear his traditional red fur-lined suit — if he goes outside during the day, there's a risk of heatstroke within just 10 minutes.
“I only go out in the evenings when it cools down, to swim in the forest lake,” Santa jokes.
His assistants — the elves — are also receiving guidelines on how to protect themselves from the heat: drink water every hour, work in the shade.
According to Prof. Weller, if heatwaves become more frequent, in the future herders may be forced to build large shaded shelters for their animals.
Tourists in surprise: seeking cold — finding heat
Lapland traditionally attracts tourists with its cold climate. But this year, many visitors are disappointed.
Currently, days in Lapland last up to 20 hours, and the sun shines even after 11 p.m., keeping the heat intense well into the night.
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