Interannual variability and trends in winter weather and snow conditions in Finnish Lapland

Abstract

The interannual variability of the air temperature, precipitation and snow conditions were examined in the Finnish Arctic region based on data from the period 1946-2012. The purpose of this work was to describe the climatology of the region and to examine long-term variations in the climatic parameters. This information is essential for both environmental and socioeconomic aspects of the Finnish Arctic region. The air temperature, precipitation and snow depth records from nine weather stations were analysed in order to study the evolution of the winter duration (sub-zero temperature days), precipitation, snow cover duration and snow depth. The climatological description was based on the most recent 30-year period record available (1982-2011). Since 1946, air temperature has increased significantly by 0.4 degrees C/decade. Significant precipitation trends reached up to 35 mm/decade. For the most part there were no significant trends in snow depth and snow cover duration.