The second week of March continues with unseasonably mild weather across Finland, especially in the southern parts. On Tuesday, temperature records for the year were broken, with readings of 10.6 degrees Celsius in Kokemäki and 10.7 degrees in Rauma. According to Ilari Lehtonen, a meteorologist and researcher at the Finnish Meteorological Institute, thermal spring may have already arrived in Southern Finland, which is characterized by daytime average temperatures consistently above freezing but below 10 degrees Celsius.

Particularly in cities like Helsinki and Turku, temperatures have remained above zero since the end of February, indicating a significant warmth that aligns with the predictions of a thermal spring. Yle meteorologist Matti Huutonen emphasizes that while the onset of thermal spring can only be confirmed later in the season, current forecasts suggest continued mild weather with no signs of a late winter. Nevertheless, he cautions that unexpected weather changes can still occur.

If thermal spring has indeed commenced in Helsinki, it marks the third consecutive year of such an early seasonal change. This trend may have implications for agriculture and wildlife, as warmer winters could affect growing seasons and animal behavior. Observers will need to continue monitoring the weather patterns closely to understand the long-term effects of this climatic shift in Finland.