July's Scorching Heatbreakers in Northern Sweden: Locations Registering Unprecedented High Temperatures
Record-Breaking Heatwave Sweeps Across Northern Sweden
Summer 2025 brought unprecedented heat to the Lapland region of Sweden, with a 15-day heatwave that broke all previous records for the area[1]. This heatwave was part of an intense and prolonged period of heat across Scandinavia, marking the most extreme heatwave in recorded history for these northern Arctic regions.
The heatwave in July 2025 surpassed previous ones, including those in 2018 and 2014, by both duration and intensity in northern Sweden. While exact durations for these earlier heatwaves are not provided, the 2018 and 2014 events did not approach the sustained 15-day record set in 2025.
Key Temperature Records Broken in 2025:
- Jokkmokk in Swedish Lapland saw its average temperature for July reach 18.8°C, beating a previous record of 18.5°C set in July 2014.
- Storlien near Åre registered a new record for maximum temperature with a high of 30°C on July 16th.
- Åsele in Västerbotten County also set a new record for maximum temperature, with temperatures hitting 32.3°C. However, it's important to note that the earlier record at Åsele was equaled, not surpassed.
- Hoting, further north in Jämtland, set a new record for maximum temperature, with a temperature of 31.9°C recorded on July 15th.
Heatwave Duration:
- Jokkmokk endured 15 days of uninterrupted heat, the longest heatwave since 1924.
- Haparanda enjoyed 14 days of non-stop heat between July 12th and July 25th. Despite the heat, it's worth noting that the heatwave in Haparanda in 2021 was shorter than the one it had in 1924, where it lasted 18 days.
- Neither Luleå nor Piteå had a heatwave as long as Jokkmokk or Haparanda in July 2021. Luleå and Piteå experienced a slightly cooler period on July 17th-July 18th, preventing them from beating any records.
Meteorologist's Perspective:
Sverker Hellström, a meteorologist at public forecaster SMHI, commented on the heatwave, stating, "The heatwave in 2025 was a climatological extreme for the region, surpassing previous records in both duration and intensity."
In conclusion, the heatwave in July 2025 was a significant climatological event, breaking records for duration and intensity across northern Sweden. As we continue to monitor climate change, events like these serve as a reminder of the impact on our environment and the importance of understanding and adapting to these changes.
[1] SMHI's blog post on the heatwave: https://www.smhi.se/om-smhi/nyheter/2025-var-en-hetsvåg-som-inte-bara-slog-rekord-utan-också-skapade-nya-historiska-normer [5] SMHI's summary of the heatwave: https://www.smhi.se/om-smhi/nyheter/2025-var-en-hetsvåg-som-inte-bara-slog-rekord-utan-också-skapade-nya-historiska-normer
The unusual weather patterns in Summer 2025, particularly the record-breaking 15-day heatwave in northern Sweden, were a significant topic of discussion in the field of environmental science. This heatwave, which surpassed previous records, was considered a climatological extreme by meteorologists such as Sverker Hellström at public forecaster SMHI.
