Extreme Weather Strikes Sweden: Heatwaves in the North and Thunderstorms in the South
Sweden faces contrasting weather with heatwaves in the north and thunderstorms in the south as of July 14, 2025.
Key Points
- • Northern Sweden experiences temperatures over 30 degrees Celsius.
- • Southern regions face heavy rainfall and thunderstorms, leading to potential flooding.
- • A tropical night is expected in Norrbotten with temperatures above 20 degrees.
- • No return to cold weather anticipated for the rest of July.
On July 14, 2025, Sweden is grappling with an unusual mix of extreme weather conditions. Northern regions are experiencing a significant heatwave, while central and southern parts confront heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. This drastic weather disparity has prompted the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) to issue various weather warnings across the country.
In northern Sweden, temperatures have soared, reaching over 30 degrees Celsius, with some areas like Vidsel recording 31.1 degrees Celsius recently. A tropical night is anticipated in Norrbotten, where nighttime temperatures may remain above 20 degrees, marking a rare climatic event for the region (Aftonbladet, 13166).
Conversely, southern and central Sweden are under a ‘rain and storm belt,’ leading to a potential 30 to 50 millimeters of rain predicted in affected areas, including Örebro, Värmland, Dalarna, and Gävleborg counties. This persistent stormy weather has reportedly resulted in property damage; a thunderstorm in Gävle led to two houses burning and various vehicles struggling with aquaplaning conditions (SVT, 13163).
Meteorologist Marcus Sjöstedt highlighted the unpredictability of summer weather systems, emphasizing the challenge of forecasting these extreme conditions. As the week progresses, the warm air from the north is expected to expand southward, and temperatures in central Sweden could rise to 28 degrees Celsius by Thursday, although southern regions may still face lingering rain showers (Aftonbladet, 13166).
Furthermore, the ongoing weather situation is expected to stabilize, with no signs of a return to cooler conditions for the remainder of the month, encouraging a prolonged period of summer warmth (Aftonbladet, 13166).