• Sweden edition

Chilliest start to a summer in decades

Published: 12 Jun 09 15:20 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/20038/20090612/

Sweden has witnessed one of the coldest starts to a summer in fifty years, said meteorological agency SMHI on Friday, confirming a nation's strong suspicions.

Many parts of the country have had an average daily temperature in June of just under 10 degrees Celsius, with thermometers even falling below zero on occasion.

"It has been a dull start to June and the rain that has now arrived is going to keep the temperatures down for a while longer," said meteorologist Alexandra Ohlsson.

The summer season started well enough with the Pentecost weekend's glorious summer heat stretching into the first day of June. But that was about the last anybody saw of summer-like weather.

In the eastern town of Norrköping, where SMHI has its offices, it has been the single coldest start to a summer in fifty years.

"It's not much fun for those of us based in Norrköping. Unfortunately we haven't been able to provide the rest of the country with particularly summery forecasts either," said Alexandra Ohlsson.

TT/The Local (news@thelocal.se/08 656 6518)

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16:56 June 12, 2009 by karex
So much for any garden work this weekend...
17:33 June 12, 2009 by soultraveler3
As a lover of cool weather it's shocking to admit that I'm looking forward to my upcoming trip to the states and the almost 40 degree weather.
18:00 June 12, 2009 by Polly
So much for the so-called 'global warming'
18:30 June 12, 2009 by littleman
Dont expect any different for Sweden must be the worst weather in the whole world
18:47 June 12, 2009 by karex
Global warming doesn't necessarily mean "down here", it's "up there" that wreacks havoc, and in the oceans, affecting the currents, etc... Actually, this weather could very well be a symptom of global warming. The weather systems are going crazy. Has anyone noticed that the seasons seemed to have shifted about a month or so backwards? When did we have "summer" last year? Wasn't it in May/June? Then it got cold again. Same goes for the year before.
18:50 June 12, 2009 by Marathongirl
Wish we had the cool/damp temps for the marathon 2 weeks ago. It was too bloody warm that day!
19:56 June 12, 2009 by Greg in Canada
Don't feel bad. We're having bizzare weather in Canada also. It's been over 30 C in B.C. but wet and in the teens here in Ontario. Crappy weather really sucks, especially in countries with cold climates where our number of warm weather days is limited. If I ever left Canada it couldn't be for Sweden - it would have to be for a warmer climate.
20:27 June 12, 2009 by spy
I need to get a life!
20:42 June 12, 2009 by Mzungu
In that case, prevent an early exit stay inside...

Waterproofs on then out to the garden for the majority of the day,excellent weather for planting and pulling weeds.

*now it's ale time*
21:52 June 12, 2009 by Omidn
I agree with you Greg. It has been quite warm in BC but we will get our share, keep the fingers cross :D. Regarding the weather in Sweden, I have been there (in Malmo) and experienced good summer but overall Sweden has a cold climate as Canada.
22:03 June 12, 2009 by JosefEugen
Volcanoes in several locations in both the northern and southern hemispheres have been unusually active lately.
00:10 June 13, 2009 by karex
Oh great. Hope they don't pump too much ash and acid in the atmosphere. I could definitely do without a "year without a summer".
06:26 June 13, 2009 by för30årseden
I grew up somewhere cold, snowy, and close to Canada and then lived in Sweden for four years. Face it! Global warming is PROGRESS!
10:02 June 13, 2009 by karex
Actually global warming can start a chain of events which will accelerate the advent of a new ice age. A catastrophic event such as a massive volcano eruption can plunge us into an immediate mini ice age. It's a lot more complicated than we imagine.
10:53 June 13, 2009 by stan dan deliver
pi55ing down here this morn in uppsala.. i feel like i'm back home in the uk lol
13:24 June 13, 2009 by Steggles
I think Sweden is saving Summer for July/August when I visit from Downunder :-)
14:54 June 13, 2009 by vladd777
Well 'Downunder' seems to be freezing as I posted off woolly socks to my son who lives outside Sydney and he said he'd bought himself a hot water bottle! It was hot as hades in summer, he said. Sooo..whatever the weather..at least here at the Pole we remain 'comfortable' inside!
17:12 June 13, 2009 by oddsock
Eh ok, maybe June has been chilly, but we had quite a warm April and May. So I don't think there is much cause for complaint, yet.

Typical meteorologits insisting that summer begins June 1. Mother nature doesn't care.
17:28 June 13, 2009 by för30årseden
Steggles,

Don't book your Swedish summer vacation until you know when it's going to be. Hopefully, it will happen during a weekend this year.
18:56 June 14, 2009 by diegoveggie
can't wait for global warming to kick off......
19:34 June 14, 2009 by stan dan deliver
been ferkin raining here non stop since 2pm on friday
20:35 June 14, 2009 by Mzungu
Absolutly gorgeous day in the tropics of Småland...

*actually observed quite a few 'socks and sandals,' accompanied by lily white legs*
20:41 June 14, 2009 by Plowbridge H. Broad
I went to Millesgården in Lidingö around midday today when it was pouring down. It gradually got worse and worse and hasn't stopped yet. It's like being home in the UK
21:56 June 14, 2009 by Coalbanks
same thing here - worse weather in MAy/June than April. SNOW May 30th! after a week of +25 weather!
22:30 June 14, 2009 by spy
Thanks for the weather update - very interesting.
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