Climate in other countries

I found a travel site (from England) that has some good climate information. From time to time I will use that site and post some climate information for different countries around the planet. This week I will look at Finland and Iran.

FINLAND

Finland  has a much milder climate than most other regions of the world that lie as far north. Finland’s climate is influenced chiefly by the Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current that flows off Norway’s west coast. Finland’s many lakes and the gulfs of Bothnia and Finland help give the country a relatively mild climate. July temperatures  in Finland average 13 to 17°C. February is usually Finland’s coldest month, with temperatures averaging from – 22 to -3°C. In northern Finland, winter temperatures often drop as low as -30°C or even down to -50°C, sometimes with strong, cold easterly or northeasterly winds. Snow covers the ground in southern Finland from December to April, and northern Finland is snowbound from October to April. Most of the country is icebound in winter, the Gulf of bothria and Finland are also usually covered with ice.

In winter, Finland has several weeks of near darkness. In the northernmost areas of the country the sun never rises above the horizon for about 2 months. Southern Finland has some daylight each day, though it receives only about 6 hours of daylight a day in midwinter.

Northern Finland lies in the Land off the Midnight Sun and so has continuous daylight during part of the summer. The number of days of continuous daylight increases as one goes farther north. In northernmost Finland, the sun stays above the horizon for about 2 months. Southern Finland never has continuous daylight, though it averages 19 hours of daylight a day in midsummer.The winter night sky-especially in the northern areas of Finland-often becomes enriched with brilliant displays of the aurora borealisz or Northern Lights  In autumn and winter the Weather can be hazardous with heavy snowfall and strong winds. weather changes can be abrupt and extreme and can be very dangerous when you are “outdoor” and without good clothing.

Iran

Iran has a hot, dry climate characterized by long, hot, dry summers and short, cool winters. The climate is influenced by Iran’s location between the subtropical aridity of the Arabian desert areas and the subtropical humidity of the eastern Mediterranean area. January is the coldest month, with mean temperatures  from 5°C (41F) to 10°C(50F), and August is the hottest month at 20°C (68F) to 30°C (86F) or more.

In most of the areas, summers are warm to hot with virtually continuous sunshine, but high humidity on the southern coastal areas of the Persian Gulf. Temperatues can be very hot; Day time temperatures can reach easily 40°C (104F) or more, especially along the Persian Gulf and Oman Sea which causes a danger of heat exhaustion.

About 70 percent of the average rainfall in the country falls between November and March; June through August are often rainless. Rainfall varies from season to season and from year to year. Precipitation is sometimes concentrated in local, but violent storms, causing erosion and local flooding, especially in the winter months. A small area along the Caspian coast has a very different climate, here rainfall is heaviest from late summer to mid winter but falls in general throughout the year.

If there is a country that you would like a little information on let me know and I will post it.

Now as for this Sunday and the forecast high in the upper 50’s the record high for March 8th is 78 set in 2008 there have been 3 times the high has reached 70 or better along with that high in 2008 it was 71 in 2016 and 70 in 1987. If it makes it to 57 or better it will be the 7th warmest March 8 in Grand Rapids recorded history.

Do not forget to change you clocks tonight

Slim