Warmest Finnish Christmas and the stormy days

Half-past noon on the 31st of December

I still can't tell which is normal or unusual when it comes to Finland's weather. Apparently, a year isn't enough for that. In a certain place, seasonal weather patterns are generally the same annually, each season having a typical description of temperature ranges, precipitation, and wind. But weather patterns are sometimes disturbed by rare or extreme conditions occurring once or a few times in a season: events that may even change the whole season's defined characteristics. And one can't miss that there's also a matter of global warming and climate change.

The weather this December, milder than last year but with occasional storms, confuses me in a way. Last week, as I searched for information about Finland's weather specifically for that of December, I found an article from the Finnish Meteorological Institute website reporting that this Christmas was the warmest Finnish Christmas in 50 years and indeed, storms are uncommon on Christmas holidays. Here is the full article: Storm on St Stephen's Day was rare - Press release archive - Ilmatieteen laitos.

Since I came to Finland, it has been my practice to check the temperature and weather forecast several times a day. I tend to compare the weather daily and associate it with how the surroundings look. Temperatures could be deceiving because it may feel much colder outside due to some factors, such as breeze and gusts of wind. It's a necessity to be aware of the weather forecast if I have to go outside, for I'm too scared to get helplessly cold when outdoors, and I hate sweating under layers when I'm over dressed. In my country, except for that of tropical storms or typhoons, I survive the day without knowing how hot or rainy it is, as long as I have an umbrella with me.

The southern part of Finland, which includes the city we live in, experience fluctuating weather more than the rest of the country. Observing how the view outside changes is an interesting thing to do specially during winter and transition of seasons. Sometimes snow could cover open surfaces in a short span of time and then melt at the same day. But I guess these things are just as ordinary to the locals here as the coming and going of rain and thunderstorm in my tropical country is to me.

Below are some photos I took during the past few days.

L: Christmas Eve. C & R: Christmas Day, snow & rain

L-R: sunny Dec 27, stormy Dec 30, partially sunny Dec 31.