Flooding partially blocks traffic at the exit to the E4 highway near Ersnäs, south of Luleå. Unseasonably high temperatures have accelerated snowmelt, leading to overflow in the roadway.

Luleå kommun has closed its ice rink for the season after observing a rapid melt that reduced the ice thickness by 15 centimeters over two days, raising serious safety concerns.

Reports from northern Sweden indicate that a Salmonella outbreak among small birds is not only causing bird deaths but is also infecting cats in Piteå. Health authorities warn pet owners to be cautious when observing dead birds around feeders.

Above-zero temperatures are rapidly melting the snow cover in Luleå, prompting questions about the future of winter.

Unusually rapid warming and sleet in Lule, Sweden, created extremely icy conditions, leading to the suspension of bus services and a yellow warning for sudden ice, as temperatures rose from -12 to -1 degrees Celsius.

Ice cover over Finlands sea areas is very low. Experts warn that the ice is now very thin over sea, and with spring slowly arriving, the situation is not likely to improve.

Meteorologist Niko Tollman of the Finnish Meteorology Institute confirms that counting up the number of stormy days this past month made January one of the windiest first months of the year over sea areas since 1994.