Record heatwave hits Finland’s Arctic Lapland

Finland’s Arctic Lapland region has experienced a record heatwave, reaching 92.5 degrees Fahrenheit, its hottest temperature in more than a century.

The record-breaking temperature was recorded on Monday by the Finnish Meteorological Institute at the country’s northernmost weather center, according to The Associated Press.

The institute said the last time a temperature was recorded that was remotely close to Monday’s measurement was in July 1914, when the temperature topped 94 degrees in Finland’s Inari Thule area.

“It is exceptional in Lapland to record temperatures” of more than 32 degrees Celsius, or 89.6 degrees Fahrenheit, Jari Tuovinen, a meteorologist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, told the Finnish public broadcaster YLE.

He said the most recent heatwave is a result of high pressure, which is causing warm air.

“Warm air has been brought in from Central Europe to the north through the Norwegian Sea,” Tuovinen said.

Neighboring countries Norway and Sweden have also recorded record temperature highs with Norway’s Saltdal municipality recording about 93.2 degrees Fahrenheit this week, the AP reported.