Sweden experiences record-breaking September heat as temperatures soar past 31 degrees

September has started unusually warm in Sweden, and this high-pressure system is expected to remain for a couple more days. Over the weekend, temperatures are anticipated to exceed 26 degrees Celsius across large parts of southern and western Sweden, with some areas possibly nearing 30 degrees.

Such high temperatures can increase stress on the body, posing risks particularly for vulnerable groups, including the elderly, individuals with chronic illnesses, and small children. Meteorologist Linnea Rehn Wittskog noted, “It is challenging for the body to cope with these high temperatures, which can lead to dehydration and fatigue.”

The current warmth is attributed to air from the Mediterranean, which has been transported across Europe to Sweden. This weekend’s heat may represent the last significant taste of summer as more moderate temperatures are expected to arrive by Monday evening. A low-pressure system is predicted to bring rainfall, followed by cooler air and a return to more seasonal temperatures. “We will see a drop of about ten degrees,” explained Rehn Wittskog, with southern Sweden projected to average around 15 degrees Celsius and northern Sweden ranging between 10 to 15 degrees.

On a notable note, Sweden experienced its hottest September day ever recorded on Wednesday, as a 49-year-old record was broken when temperatures soared to 31.1 degrees Celsius in both Helsingborg and Lund. Furthermore, summer 2024 is being reported as the warmest on record globally, according to the EU’s Copernicus climate service.