Finland is in the grip of an intense Arctic cold wave that is driving temperatures close to minus 40 degrees Celsius across large parts of the country, particularly in Lapland.

The brutal conditions have already led to widespread flight cancellations, transport disruption and the unprecedented temporary closure of some ski operations at popular northern resorts, stranding winter holidaymakers at the height of the season and forcing the tourism industry into emergency mode.

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Cold Wave Pushes Finland Into Rare Deep Freeze

Since early January, a powerful high-pressure system has settled over northern Europe, funneling frigid Arctic air across Finland and allowing temperatures to plunge night after night. Weather stations in eastern Lapland, including Savukoski, have recorded readings below minus 40 degrees Celsius, with one station registering about minus 42.8 degrees on January 10, the lowest so far this winter and among the coldest in the last decade. Forecasters say values near or below minus 40 degrees have been widespread across central and northern Lapland.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute has issued the highest-level cold weather alerts for parts of central and northern Finland, where the combined effect of low temperatures and wind chill presents a significant risk of frostbite and hypothermia. In northern regions, a red cold warning can be issued once temperatures or wind chill drop to minus 40 degrees or lower, a threshold that has now been met or closely approached on multiple days. Authorities are urging residents and visitors to limit time outdoors, wear multiple insulating layers and avoid unnecessary travel during the coldest periods of the day.

The deep freeze comes against the backdrop of a long-term warming trend in Finland, which has seen recent years rank among the warmest on record. Meteorologists emphasize that climate change does not eliminate extreme cold events, but instead can contribute to more volatile weather patterns, with unusually mild spells punctuated by short, intense outbreaks of Arctic air. The current episode is a stark reminder that even a warming climate does not spare northern countries from dangerous winter extremes.

Flight Cancellations Leave Tourists Stranded in Lapland

Air travel into and within Finland has been severely affected, with Lapland bearing the brunt of the disruption. Kittilä Airport, the main gateway for visitors heading to the Levi and Ylläs ski areas, has experienced repeated disruptions as temperatures have hovered in the range of minus 35 to nearly minus 40 degrees. On January 11, prolonged subminus-35-degree conditions effectively shut down operations for much of the day, as de-icing and ground handling became impossible, leaving thousands of passengers stuck in the terminal and in local hotels.

Airport operator Finavia has warned that at around minus 32 degrees and below, key equipment used on the apron becomes increasingly vulnerable. Connectors on refueling trucks and ground power units can freeze, hydraulic systems slow, and vehicle doors and hatches may jam shut. At Kittilä, an unusual combination of extreme cold and higher-than-normal moisture in the air has intensified icing on aircraft and ground equipment. Even when runways remain open, airlines have been forced to cancel services when they cannot safely de-ice aircraft or complete standard pre-flight checks.

In recent days, Finnair, KLM and several charter operators flying holiday routes from the United Kingdom and continental Europe have reported dozens of cancellations and well over a hundred delays linked to the cold snap. Helsinki-Vantaa, the country’s main international hub, has also seen significant knock-on disruption as aircraft and crews have been left out of position by the freeze in Lapland. Passengers have faced long queues at rebooking desks, limited same-day alternatives, and in some cases unexpected extra nights in remote resort towns.

Finavia stresses that airports in Finland technically remain open even in severe frost, but that airlines will err on the side of caution whenever ground operations cannot be performed to required safety standards. Travellers are being urged to check flight status regularly, keep close contact with their airline or tour operator, and be prepared for late-notice cancellations as temperatures fluctuate around critical thresholds.

Ski Resorts Hit by Closures During Peak Season

The extreme cold has delivered a paradoxical blow to Lapland’s ski resorts. While reliable snow is one of their strongest selling points in an era of warmer winters elsewhere in Europe, the current temperatures are so low that key outdoor activities are being scaled back or canceled for safety reasons. Resorts around Levi, Ylläs and Rovaniemi have temporarily suspended some ski school sessions, children’s programs and longer lift operations during the coldest morning and evening hours, focusing instead on shorter, carefully supervised runs when conditions marginally improve.

In the most exposed areas, operators have taken the unusual step of closing certain lifts and high-altitude slopes altogether while the mercury hovers near minus 40 degrees. Tour companies report that snowmobiling excursions, husky safaris and reindeer sled rides are being postponed or canceled, particularly for families with young children or older travelers who are more susceptible to frostbite. Guides say that even with top-quality thermal suits and heated gloves, exposed skin can freeze in minutes when combined with the windchill from snowmobiles or chairlifts.

For local businesses, the timing could hardly be worse. January and February are normally lucrative months, with charter flights delivering families from across Europe seeking guaranteed snow and the chance to see the northern lights. Hotels, restaurants and activity providers in Lapland are now juggling last-minute cancellations, rebookings and demands for refunds against their own staffing and cost pressures. Some are choosing to offer indoor alternatives such as spa access, cultural programs and northern lights photography workshops while outdoor operations are curtailed.

Resort managers insist that closures are temporary and closely tied to hourly forecasts rather than blanket shutdowns for the entire season. However, they acknowledge that this is among the most disruptive cold spells in recent memory for the region’s tourism industry, not because of a lack of snow, but because it is at times simply too cold to operate safely or comfortably for visitors.

How Long Will the Extreme Cold Last?

Forecasters expect the worst of the cold wave to persist through at least Thursday, January 22, with temperatures in Lapland frequently dipping below minus 30 degrees and occasionally approaching minus 40 degrees during night and early morning hours. Central parts of Finland will also remain well below seasonal averages, though with somewhat less extreme values. In southern Finland, including the Helsinki region, the cold has been sharp but less severe, with readings generally closer to minus 15 to minus 20 degrees.

Both the Finnish Meteorological Institute and private forecasting services indicate that a gradual moderation is likely toward the end of the week as milder Atlantic air begins to encroach from the west. That shift may bring a different set of hazards, including freezing rain and rapidly forming black ice on roads and pavements, as air temperatures rise above freezing while ground surfaces remain frozen. Authorities are cautioning that travel conditions could remain treacherous even after the cold itself begins to ease.

For air travelers and resort guests, this means that disruption may not end the moment temperatures climb above the thresholds that paralyze ground handling. Airlines will need time to reposition aircraft and crew, clear maintenance backlogs and work through booking queues. Ski operators, meanwhile, will have to inspect lifts and snow surfaces after the extreme cold and adapt to potentially heavier, wetter snow if warmer air arrives quickly. Tourists planning to arrive later in January should still prepare for altered schedules and cold-weather safety measures, but are more likely to find a fuller range of activities available.

What Travelers in Finland Should Expect Right Now

Visitors currently in Finland or due to arrive over the coming days should be prepared for highly changeable logistics and a slower pace to their journey. For those in Lapland, flight cancellations and extensive delays remain possible, particularly at Kittilä and Rovaniemi, whenever temperatures dive below roughly minus 32 degrees and stay there for several hours. Even when airports are functioning, de-icing queues may significantly lengthen turnaround times, leaving departures and arrivals several hours behind schedule.

On the ground, long-distance train services and buses have so far proven more resilient than aviation, but they too can be affected by mechanical issues in extreme cold and by localized ice or blowing snow. Car rental companies advise that vehicles should be plugged into engine block heaters overnight where possible and that drivers carry extra warm clothing, blankets and a fully charged phone in case of breakdowns in sparsely populated areas. Rural roads in Lapland can see low traffic volumes and long stretches without services, making preparedness essential.

In ski resorts, travelers should expect adjustments to planned itineraries. Morning ski school sessions may start later than advertised, outdoor excursions could be shortened, and some previously advertised activities may be canceled altogether on very cold days. Tour operators are increasingly communicating updates via text message and app notifications, so having roaming data or regular Wi-Fi access is helpful. Many packages include some flexibility for switching between excursions or rescheduling within the same week, though cash refunds depend on individual company policies and local regulations.

For those still in the planning phase, travel specialists recommend building in an extra buffer day at the start or end of a Lapland trip, allowing for potential flight disruptions. Booking fully changeable tickets, confirming insurance coverage for weather-related delays, and considering multi-leg routes that include rail segments are all strategies being promoted by agencies as the cold wave continues.

Staying Safe in Temperatures Near Minus 40 Degrees

Authorities and medical professionals in Finland emphasize that the risks from this cold wave are real even for visitors who may be excited by the novelty of such low temperatures. At minus 30 degrees and below, bare skin can begin to freeze within minutes, and the risk accelerates further as wind speed increases. The recommended approach is to dress in multiple loose layers, with moisture-wicking base garments, insulating mid-layers and a windproof outer shell. Hands, feet and the face require special attention, with insulated gloves or mittens, thermal socks and proper winter boots, and a balaclava or scarf that can cover the nose and cheeks.

Alcohol consumption, common at resort bars and après-ski venues, can increase the risk of hypothermia by impairing judgment and promoting heat loss. Health agencies advise limiting time spent outside when moving between venues late at night and ensuring that friends or family know your plans. Smartphones should be kept inside inner pockets close to the body, as batteries deplete much faster in extreme cold, potentially leaving travelers without a means of calling for help.

Families with young children are being told to watch closely for early signs of frostbite, including numbness, tingling or pale, waxy-looking skin on fingers, toes, noses and ears. Activity providers in Lapland say they are prepared to shorten tours or bring groups indoors quickly if guests begin to struggle. Many excursions now include extra stops in heated huts or tipis for warm drinks and clothing checks, reflecting heightened vigilance during this cold spell.

Cities in southern and central Finland are also taking precautions. Municipal authorities have opened additional warming centers and extended opening hours at some public facilities for people without adequate heating at home. Public information campaigns are reminding residents to check on elderly neighbors and ensure that pets are not left outdoors for extended periods. Even in locations that are less severely affected than Lapland, overnight lows can still be hazardous, particularly for the most vulnerable.

Tourism Industry Balances Resilience and Vulnerability

Finland’s tourism sector is accustomed to harsh winters and has invested heavily in infrastructure that can operate safely at low temperatures, from modern snowmaking systems to insulated accommodations and robust transport links. However, the current cold wave is exposing some of the limits of that resilience. While resorts are well prepared for heavy snowfall and more typical frosts around minus 15 or minus 20 degrees, prolonged spells close to minus 40 degrees test mechanical systems, supply logistics and staffing plans in ways that even seasoned operators rarely face.

At the same time, the episode underscores Finland’s growing role as a winter refuge for snow-reliant tourism. Across the Alps and lower-lying ski regions in central Europe, many resorts are grappling with a lack of natural snow and shorter winter seasons linked to climate change. Finnish resorts have enjoyed relative stability in recent years, supported by innovations such as snow-preserving mats and large-scale snow storage that buffer them against warm spells. The current cold snap, while disruptive, also reinforces their image as authentically wintry destinations that can still guarantee snow cover even in an era of warmer winters elsewhere.

Industry representatives stress that once temperatures moderate from these extreme lows, Lapland’s ski areas are expected to rebound quickly, with excellent snow conditions extending well into March and often April. For now, however, the priority is safeguarding passengers and guests while navigating a rare combination of intense cold, operational challenges and global attention. Travelers with trips booked in the coming weeks are being encouraged to stay informed, remain flexible and follow safety guidance, confident that the coldest phase of this extraordinary Arctic episode is likely to pass before long.