The average minimum temperature (usually the minimum temperature is noted during the night) in Ranua in October is -2.0°C (28.4°F). After a series of minor battles, the war came to an effective end in November 1944, when German troops had reached Norway or its vicinity and took fortified positions. It’s possible to see the phenomenon in any part of Lapland – if the weather conditions are right, but the best bet is in February-March and September-October. *This article contains affiliate links where I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you. Here, the winter (which in Nordic countries is the season when the temperature remains below freezing) lasts seven months, from October to April. [11] In June 1944, the Germans started to construct fortifications against a possible enemy advance from the south. But erratic winter weather can make it hard for them to get to their food. Finland responded by denying ships to sail from Finland to Germany and nearly doomed the materiel evacuations of Operation Birke. The 20th Mountain Army had been fighting the Soviet Karelian Front since Operation Barbarossa along the 700 km (430 mi) stretch from Oulu River to the Arctic Ocean. [51], When Allied advances continued, German high command OKW and 20th Mountain Army leadership asserted that it would be perilous to maintain positions in Lapland and east of Lyngen municipality in northern Norway. Learn how your comment data is processed. In general, the withdrawal followed a pattern in which advancing Finnish units would encounter German rear guards and attempt to flank them on foot, but the destroyed road network prevented them from bringing up artillery and other heavy weapons. Very nice that You visited Rovaniemi and the Arctic Circle. The military impact was relatively limited with both sides sustaining around 4,000 in total casualties although the Germans' delaying scorched earth and land mine strategies devastated Finnish Lapland. She founded On the Luce in 2011, has an MSc in Tourism, Heritage & Sustainability from the University of Glasgow and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers. This part of the world is a Christmas card come to life. The weather is cold in December but if you wrap up warm and don’t stay out too long you should be fine. In addition to 3,100 buildings demolished elsewhere in Finland, estimates of destroyed infrastructure in Lapland are as follows:[68][69], The reconstruction of Lapland lasted till the early 1950s, although the railroad network was not functional until 1957. Thank you for your kind reply I’ll travelling to Rovaniemi on Dec so I just walk in to Santa Claus Village to book all this activities ? As a counterbalance to the sleepy world of snow and ice, the Northern Lights flash across the clear night skies. The temperature can go as low as minus 45 to 50°C. [59], The Soviet Karelian Front, led by General Kirill Meretskov, initiated its Petsamo–Kirkenes Offensive and started to push the XIX Mountain Corps towards Norway from Soviet territory along the Arctic coast on 7 October. For at least the next two weeks, Lapland is not … Finland weather in October. Starting from 12 October, the recommended 14-day period of self-isolation will be shortened. [9] During the winter of 1943–1944, the Germans improved the roads from northern Norway to northern Finland by extensive use of prisoner-of-war labour in certain areas. Although the 31 st August saw a decent flurry of birds 8+ Pied Flycatcher, first Merlin of the autumn, 3 Short eared Owls and a … In addition, the Germans surveyed defensive positions and planned to evacuate as much materiel as possible from the region, and meticulously prepared for withdrawal. Trade winds blow in from the east, bringing an enjoyable sea breeze that helps to cool things down and lower humidity levels at the same time. We’ll lend you a cosy all-in-one thermal suit, as well as boots, gloves, socks and a hat. The percentage indicates the probability of having the weather mentioned. This works out at around €118/£107/$143 a night each, not including flights. Photo: Hege Abrahamsen. In Lapland, the northernmost part of Finland, the climate is cold for most of the year, with a short and intense summer. [34][49][50] Though it was logical for the Germans to deny pursuing forces any shelter, it had a very limited effect on the Finns, who always carried tents for shelter. German attempts to fight the fire failed and a train loaded with ammunition caught fire at the railroad station on 14 October, resulting in an explosion which spread the fire throughout the primarily wooden buildings of the town. An Astronomy Voyage runs from October to March, following the Aurora Borealis, with astronomers on board. [62] Likewise, the 26th Army had followed the withdrawing XVIII Mountain Corps around 50 km (31 mi) over the Finnish border in southern Lapland to Kuusamo and Suomussalmi, but left the area in November. [56] The first Finnish units to reach the vicinity of Rovaniemi on 14 October were components of the Jaeger Brigade advancing from Ranua. [13], After the devastating Soviet strategic Vyborg–Petrozavodsk Offensive in southern Finland from June to July and a change in Finnish leadership in August 1944, Finland negotiated a separate peace agreement with the USSR. Thanks. Most of the 214,000 Germans served until the end of August 1944, but the number plummeted as the Germans withdrew or proceeded to Norway. The Moscow Armistice, signed on 19 September 1944, demanded for Finland to break diplomatic ties with Germany and to expel or disarm any German soldiers remaining in Finland after 15 September 1944. I harbour the hope that you, even if you disapprove of my attitude, will wish and endeavour like myself and all other Finns to terminate our former relations without increasing the gravity of the situation. Though Finnish forces took several hundred prisoners, they failed to prevent the Germans from demolishing the bridges over the Kemi River once they began to withdraw on 8 October. Lapland weather in November is extremely cold and temperatures often dip below 0°C. You could save by cooking all your own food and avoiding alcohol. Finnish troops, who had been ordered to take the bridge intact, were attempting to disarm explosives rigged to the bridge when the Germans detonated them, demolishing the bridge and killing, among others, the Finnish company commander. Hi, there’s a line in the middle of Santa’s Village in Rovaniemi which marks the Arctic Circle so you can literally just cross it! Hitler accepted the proposal on 4 October 1944, and the plan was codenamed Operation Nordlicht on 6 October. More... A winter wonderland trip to Rovaniemi, Finnish Lapland, https://www.airbnb.co.uk/associates/12693?s=67&c=.pi115.pk0_9&a4ptk=2856_0_9_12693&af=115, A royal weekend in Windsor, England: A 48-hour itinerary, A weekend in Falmouth, Cornwall: A 48-hour itinerary. [52] As the Germans withdrew towards the town of Rovaniemi, a road junction point in Lapland, and Norway, movement was mostly limited to the immediate vicinity of Lapland's three main roads, which constricted military activities considerably. Higher budget? October 17, 2017 at 6:49 pm Hello, Finland cannot be the worst country in Scandinavia since it is not part of Scandinavia: While the term Scandinavia is commonly used for Denmark, Norway and Sweden, the term the Nordic countries is used unambiguously for Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and Iceland, including their associated territories (Greenland, the Faroe Islands, and … Total transport cost (excluding flights): €25/£23/$30 per person – €6/£6/$8 a day on average. Most of the 75,000 Finns served until the end of October 1944, but the number dropped to 12,000 soldiers in December 1944. raise the flag at the three-country cairn, raised the flag on the three-country cairn, Military history of Finland during World War II, https://www.hs.fi/kotimaa/art-2000004615027.html, “The Midwife” by Katja Kettu – Words Without Borders, YLE: Finnish actor scores big at Shanghai Film Festival, Treaty on the Final Settlement with Respect to Germany, Rape during the Soviet occupation of Poland, Raising the Flag on the Three-Country Cairn, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Lapland_War&oldid=999673479, Arctic military operations of World War II, Articles containing Finnish-language text, Articles containing Swedish-language text, Articles containing Russian-language text, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License. The snow cover is usually thickest in early April. Until then it’s definitely possible to visit on a reasonable budget and still get the amazing experiences. October; November; December; Back to top. The prices for the activities seem so reasonable to what I have come across! Despite the weather, winter is one of the most popular times to visit Finland. Travelzoo: Top offers with fully refundable vouchers. [12] The accidental death of Generaloberst Eduard Dietl on 23 June 1944 brought Generaloberst Lothar Rendulic to the command of the 20th Mountain Army. The Finns considered the war a separate conflict because hostilities with other nations had ceased after the Continuation War. During World War II, the Lapland War (Finnish: Lapin sota; ... On 4 October, bad weather prevented Finnish air cover from reaching Tornio, leaving the fourth landing wave vulnerable. [42] The Finns beat back German counterattacks for a week until 8 October, when the Germans withdrew from Tornio. Hi. [27][28], On 15 September 1944, the Kriegsmarine tried to land and seize the island of Suursaari in Operation Tanne Ost to secure shipping routes in the Gulf of Finland. Winter in Sweden. There’s a hostel in Rovaniemi but a dorm bunk costs €50 a night, so unless you’re travelling solo, apartment rentals are likely to be the cheapest option. Why come? On average, the island has around 1,140mm of yearly rainfall, with October having the most rain spread over 16 days of the month. I don’t usually spend a lot on activities when I travel, but Lapland is one of those places where there are a ton of cool things to do to tempt you – snowmobiling, husky or reindeer sledding, Northern Lights tours, ice fishing, snowshoeing and cross-country skiing. I met the beginning of October … Soviet involvement in the war amounted to monitoring Finnish operations, minor air support and entering northeastern Lapland during the Petsamo–Kirkenes Offensive. I believe that the attitude of the German Army in northern Finland towards the local population and authorities will enter our history as a unique example of a correct and cordial relationship [...] I deem it my duty to lead my people out of the war. p.s. A 10-day period of self-isolation is recommended for travellers arriving in Finland from a higher incidence country. [52] Instead of a gradual withdrawal from southern Lapland into fortified positions further to the north while evacuating materiel, as in Operation Birke, Operation Nordlicht called for a rapid and strictly organised withdrawal directly behind Lyngen Fjord in Norway, while under pressure from harassing enemy forces. I am planning to go to Finnish Lapland in the first week of October (1st October to 5th October) to see Northern Lights.I am not sure whether I my decision is rational or not. Did you manage to see the northern lights whilst … October marks the start of spring in Mauritius, and the island is overflowing with multi-coloured exotic flowers and wildlife. Meanwhile, Finnish troops were advancing overland from Oulu towards Kemi, with the 15th Brigade making only slow progress against meager German resistance. [65] In north-western Lapland, only four battalions of Finnish troops were left on 4 November and by February 1945, a mere 600 men. I went to Norway for 3.5 days in January, and the prices were pretty much the same. The male selects 5-15 females from the herd during breeding season to create a harem. In spring, the mean daily temperature rises from 0°C to 10°C. Keep on updating your blog with such awesome information. The Finnish Navy's gunboats Hämeenmaa, Uusimaa and VMV-class patrol boats 15 and 16 arrived with the sixth wave just in time to witness German Focke-Wulf Fw 200 Condor bombers attacking the shipping at Tornio with Henschel Hs 293 glide bombs without results. Weather forecast for Pallas. In the Arctic Lapland, we have 8 seasons. Note: these costs are based on my travel style – mid-range with a touch of affordable luxury – keeping costs down where I can to can splash out on special experiences. We didn’t unfortunately – they were only visible for one night and that was cloudy so we missed out. Weather in Rovaniemi, Finland Today's. Average Weather during October in Ranua (Lapland), Finland. The overall cost for our four days in Lapland in January came in at €472/£428/$572 per person. Weather forecast - Lapland Welcome is an incoming & DMC office in Lapland, Finland organizing safaris & excursions in Rovaniemi, Kemi, Ivalo-Saariselkä. Lucy is an award-winning blogger based in Cheltenham, UK. Weather in Lapland in november 2021. [63], For most practical purposes, the war in Lapland concluded in early November 1944. In total, Finnish ground forces in the Lapland theatre were 75,000 strong. The trip also includes a visit to the Northern Lights Planetarium in Tromsø. The Finns refused and the civilians were later released on 12 October. The Germans planned to withdraw their forces northward in order to shield the nickel mines near Petsamo (Russian: Pechenga). [47], From the start of the war, the Germans had systematically destroyed and mined the roads and bridges as they withdrew in a delaying strategy. On 6 October, a strict order was issued which classified only military sites or military necessities as targets. [41] The Finnish Infantry Regiment 11 was reinforced with Infantry Regiments 50 and 53. From the German perspective, it was a part of the two campaigns to evacuate from northern Finland and northern Norway. On 4 October, bad weather prevented Finnish air cover from reaching Tornio, leaving the fourth landing wave vulnerable. This glass igloos do look amazing – maybe one day! October 4 – Day of cinnamon buns (Kanelbullens dag). [7][21], The announcement on 2 September 1944 of the ceasefire and the Moscow Armistice between Finland and the USSR triggered frantic efforts by the 20th Mountain Army, which immediately started Operation Birke. The Aurora Basecamp October is a 4-night (optional 7-night) northern lights photo tour and takes place around the village of Hetta in Finnish Lapland soon after the September equinox.Traditionally the weeks surrounding the equinox are providing a very good chance to observe Northern lights. Thanks for the tips – hope to get back and see more next time as this was just a taster, but the reindeer race looks amazing if I visit in February sometime. 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