There’s No Such Thing as a “Coolcation”: Arctic Areas Are Not Immune to the Heat
For a long time, people escaping from the intense heat in summer turned their attention towards northern Europe as the main getaway. People would travel to Norway to experience the famous Fjords and get some crisp refreshing air. The Scottish highlands, famous for their golfing, offered a moderate climate as well. Sweden’s Lapland region, with snow capped peaks and daylight for almost the entire day would allow the tourists to experience reindeer herding in the summer months.
All of these places are “cool summer escapes,” but with the Arctic’s icy grip loosening, they will be rethought in the coming years. Due to global warming, once colder places are now capable of extreme heat, and these cold summer escapes are not safe from climate driven heat. It is a common now for tourists and local travellers to discover that the higher latitudes are not safe from the wrath of global warming.
Northern regions of Europe including Sweden, Finland and even Norway, are famous for their cold moderate temperatures and have long yearly battles with summer heat waves. Although Spain, France, Italy and even the Balkans have summer heat waves, in Norway the summer season is quite moderate. However, over the years, Finland and Sweden have experienced high temperatures, sometimes above their limitations.
Fires raged through Canada and Europe as well, scorching snow and temperate forests. Japan, while known for its temperate weather, hit record high temperatures. All regions near the Arctic Circle are experiencing some of the fastest warming on the planet.
In the UK, the summers are known for their heat waves, however, this year it suffered through four waves, each returning temperatures in the high 80s and 90s. Celebrity news outlets such as BBC and Sky news are now reporting on the heat and drought issues as repeated heat waves seem to be on the horizon.
Large parts of northern Europe are known for their chilly weather, however, Sweden and Finland suffered through heat waves for 2-3 weeks in July. This was caused by a strong and stagnant high-pressure ridge. Buildings in these regions are well known for their ability to retain heat. This cutting off of fresh air, and the now constantly rising temperatures, caused many health risks.
Other Effects on the Environment and Economy
A number of the reindeer were found to be searching for shade near villages instead of pastures, and as such, were altering their grazing patterns. This is now putting a strain on herding traditional lifestyles, and such a constant strain is bound to shift the line of sustainability.
The impact on human health was severe, with illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heatstroke rising in northern Finland, Sweden, and Norway. Mortality spiking in certain regions was noted, especially in the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions.
Through the World Weather Attribution initiative, the scientists studying the heat wave came to the conclusion that human-caused global warming has roughly doubled the odds of a heat wave of this magnitude occurring far north, in comparison to 2018. Such events are now at least ten times more likely to happen than without the widespread rise of fossil fuel emissions. Read more at The Climate Post.
Shattering Temperature Records
Finland and Ylitornio recorded the highest and remarkable temperatures in the northern European regions. Finland not only experienced a record heat wave, but also the longest one on record, exceeding 86°F for 22 consecutive days.
For 26 consecutive days, Ylitornio, situated a mere 32 kilometers south of the Arctic Circle, recorded temperatures above 77°F. This was an unmatched record for northernmost inhabited regions of Europe. This extended heat not only caused disruption to the routine, but created a strain on the energy infrastructure while increasing overall health risks to the public.
Mika Rantanen from the Finnish Meteorological Institute labeled the event as a double climate punch. “Last summer was the warmest in two millennia, and this year we have experienced the longest heat wave ever recorded.”
Other long-duration heat events in Northern Norway and Sweden
Increased drowning deaths during the period also appear to be a factor where residents and tourists sought to escape the heat. During July, the Swedish Meteorological Institute’s Erik Kjellström also noted a rise in drowning incidents. “It’s as if people totally forgot the dangers of the heat swimming in the waters with almost no safety precautions.”
An Overview of the Climate Science Focused on the Extremes
Global temperatures are rising and the Northern region is affected the most, to the degree of being labeled as Arctic Amplification. This is mainly due to feedback loops such as the loss of ice which negatively impacts the earth’s reflectivity or creating a more significant heat environment, as well as altering wind patterns.
Climate researcher Friederike Otto from Imperial College London and the director of WWA noted, “July’s heat should be taken as another reminder that no country is safe from climate change. Even regions that have been considered cool are now facing the risk of dangerous and even deadly heat.”
Also, WWA’s studies found that the Nordic heat wave was, on average, 3.6°F hotter due to human climate pollution. Experts believe that the climate modeling and data gaps from remote Arctic regions may skew the data, bolstering the estimate of human influence.
The Broader Arctic Picture
The Nordic heat wave is representative of a larger trend within the Arctic. Areas like Greenland, Canada, and Northern Russia have had abnormally high temperatures, which results in accelerated ice melting, wildfire activity, and the thawing of permafrost.
Concerned researchers have also noted that Greenland’s ice sheet is experiencing significant summer melts, which contributes to rising sea levels. This is also on the heels of Canada and Siberia experiencing wildfires that have released stored carbon into the atmosphere, further aggravating climate change. These underscore a cycle of self-reinforcement: the change in environment triggers the release of greenhouse gases, which in turn heightens the temperature.
Construction and Health Care Services
Historically, the Arctic and sub-Arctic areas lack the infrastructure and systems to deal with sustained heat periods. Buildings tend to retain heat instead of cooling the interiors. Northern city urban planning often gives priority to heat insulation over cooling ventilation, undermining the long-term building physics and contributing to the urban heat island effect over the city.
Cold-weather hospitals, like those in Northern Finland, Norway, and Sweden, are used to cold weather ailments. With the shift in climate, they are now facing new challenges like heat dehydration, heatstroke, and heat hyperstimulation. With the new climate shift, public health campaigns are also forced to pivot, suggesting heat advisories and heightened sheltering coupled with extreme low sunscreen wearing during high sun index hours.
Transportation systems are also affected. Northern Pavement and rail track systems often lack the infrastructure to deal with sustained high temperatures coupled with heat insulation. Due to sustained periods of high temperatures, air conditioning demand skyrockets, causing the already strained power grids to face even more demand, while pavements buckling and rail expansion while in a stretched state caused the sustained high temperatures.
Social and Cultural Impacts
The Sámi reindeer herding is a centuries-old cultural tradition and is particularly sensitive to the hot climate. When the herders are forced to move with the animals to areas with shade because the reindeer neglect pasturing. When herders are forced to follow the animals, they face both economic and cultural shift.
Arctic regions have long been critical for driving the economy with tourism, but have now faced repercussions. While visitors seek a “coolcation,” they now have to deal with unnaturally hot temperatures, which can be discouraging for future visits. To make sure guests feel comfortable and safe and to protect local interests ranging from hotels to cruise operators, a lot of money must be spent on investment of cooling systems and reshuffling of outdoor activities.
Adaptation and Resilience
The rest of Northern Europe is starting to engage with what has been proposed for them, so far the strategies have been:
- The development of early warning systems for extreme heat so that the residents can take steps to reduce exposure.
- Changes to Urban planning systems, like planting more greens, shade trees, and providing better ventilation for structures.
- Preparation for healthcare, like resource planning for heat related illnesses, as well as, providing supplies to hospitals and clinics.
- Providing aids for pastoral communities as the Sámi, to protect livestock while preserving their traditional ways of life.
Researchers stress that adapting to the changes is not the full solution. They will have to deal with the extreme reckless temperatures and the unnaturally hot heatwaves without a significant reduction in the greenhouse gas emissions that the regions are releasing.
Looking Forward
The post-2025 Nordic heat wave illustrates how not a single inch of the world is safe from climate change impacts. It also serves as a reminder that the arctic is not a safe haven, is also a part of the problem. Now, every corner of the world suffers from the heat, be it southern Europe or a tropical region.
The rise of the arctic and sub-arctic regions will suffer from an the impacts of climate change, from ice regions transforming into moderately cold zones, and regions considered ‘off limit’ will be a new norm.
As Frierike Otto quoted, “Even the Arctic can no longer be considered a sanctuary from climate change.” Herders, tourists, and locals alike will have to struggle to be prepared and quickly adapt to the relentless change.
Key Takeaways
- The phenomenon of arctic amplification has increased the severity of heat waves.
- Long duration heat waves dominated southern Europe and the tropics, with Finland, Sweden, and Norway experiencing record breaking temperatures in July 2025.
- The impacts of climate change have stripped away the chances of purposed-free exploration in the Arctic.
- In the northern areas, heat waves affect people’s health, the economy, local traditions, and the environment.
- To lessen this impact, we must protect people, mitigate emissions, and adapt change strategies.
