Finland's mild winter temperatures continued during the month of February, according to data from the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI).
The average temperatures measured in the country over the course of last month were the highest in recorded history, according to the weather agency.
Much like December and January, February in Finland was mild and wet. The month ended virtually without any accumulated snow in southern areas, while the snow that fell in northern regions was rare or exceptionally heavy.
Last month was also particularly rainy, according to the FMI. The agency characterised February's weather situation as "exceptional," which refers to conditions that take place fewer than three times per century.
The month's average temperatures ranged from about two degrees above zero Celsius in the Finnish Archipelago to around 10 degrees below freezing in northern Lapland, according to the FMI. Compared to weather data from the past 40 years, last month's average temperatures were around five to six degrees higher than normal in Finland and about two to four degrees above average in Finnish Lapland.
Temps hit 9 degrees on Åland
The highest temperature in Finland last month was recorded in the village of Hammarland on the autonomous island of Åland, in south-west Finland, where the mercury read 9 degrees Celsius. Meanwhile, the month's coldest temperature - a bone-chilling -32.3 degrees Celsius - was recorded at the Vuotso weather station in Sodankylä, about 110 km north of Rovaniemi in Finnish Lapland.
While there was at times quite a bit of snow cover - around 115 cm - in central Lapland, the rest of the country - particularly in central and southern areas - was virtually snow-free.
Additionally, the majority of last month's rain fell in the south-western part of the country, where rainfall amounted to more than twice normal levels.
Yle meteorologist Henri Nyman said he expects the mild weather to continue in March.
He said freezing temperatures have stubbornly remained in the Arctic due to the strong polar vortex.
"The polar vortex seems to be very strong in relation to the season. As a result, the low pressure systems and mild weather are likely to continue to flow to Finland from the Atlantic," Nyman said.