Climate zones in Finland, 1991 to 2020
Share of Finland's classified land in each Köppen-Geiger zone in 1991 to 2020. Zones under 0.05% are left out. The 893,514 map cells used cover 100% of the country's outline (about 329,890 km²).
By major group: D (cold (continental)) 100%.
Dfc, subarctic (boreal), is the main climate of Finland, covering 73% of its classified land in 1991 to 2020, with Dfb (warm-summer humid continental) next at 27%. In plain terms, subarctic (boreal) means long, cold winters and short, cool summers. Under the middle-of-the-road scenario (SSP2-4.5), 45% of its land is projected to be in a different zone by 2071 to 2099, with the biggest gain going to Dfb (warm-summer humid continental). The most common zone would then be Dfb (warm-summer humid continental).
How Finland's zones have changed and may change
Each row compares a map with 1991 to 2020. "Share in a different zone" is the share of the country's area whose class is different from 1991 to 2020. Future rows are model projections under an emissions scenario, not forecasts.
| Map | Share in a different zone | Different major group | Biggest gain | Biggest loss |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1901 to 1930 (past) | 23% | 0.1% | Dfb +22.8 percentage points | Dfc -22.7 percentage points |
| 2071 to 2099, SSP1-2.6 (low emissions) | 33% | 0% | Dfb +32.9 percentage points | Dfc -32.9 percentage points |
| 2071 to 2099, SSP2-4.5 (middle of the road) | 45% | 0.1% | Dfb +44.5 percentage points | Dfc -44.5 percentage points |
| 2071 to 2099, SSP5-8.5 (high emissions) | 85% | 7.2% | Dfb +58.7 percentage points | Dfc -71.8 percentage points |
For the past row, the comparison runs the other way: the 1901 to 1930 map against 1991 to 2020.
Zone shares by map
| Zone | 1901 to 1930 | 1991 to 2020 | SSP1-2.6 (2071 to 2099) | SSP2-4.5 (2071 to 2099) | SSP5-8.5 (2071 to 2099) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dfc Subarctic (boreal) | 96% | 73% | 40% | 29% | 1.5% |
| Dfb Warm-summer humid continental | 3.9% | 27% | 60% | 71% | 85% |
| ET Tundra | 0.1% | - | - | - | - |
| Cfa Humid subtropical | - | - | - | - | 1.1% |
| Cfb Temperate oceanic | - | - | - | - | 6% |
| Dfa Hot-summer humid continental | - | - | - | - | 6% |
Percentages are of the country's classified land in each map. A dash means under 0.05%.
Cities in Finland and their climate zones
| City | 1991 to 2020 | 2071 to 2099, SSP2-4.5 |
|---|---|---|
| Helsinki | Dfb Warm-summer humid continental | Dfb Warm-summer humid continental |
Zones found in Finland
Data: Beck et al. (2023), CC BY 4.0; country outlines from Natural Earth. In 1901 to 1930 the most common zone was Dfc. See data sources and licences.