Sweden Faces Record-Breaking Cold and Snow in January 2026

January 2026 saw Sweden grappling with extreme winter weather, marked by record low temperatures and unprecedented precipitation. In Pajala, the northern region endured its coldest two-week stretch since 1940, averaging a chilling -31.8°C from December 30 to January 12. Local resident Birger Lahti, living in Kaarnevaara north of Pajala, reported temperatures remaining below -30°C for 16 days, with his thermometer plunging to -37°C. The coldest temperature nationwide was recorded in Gielas, Lapland, reaching a bone-freezing -40.8°C on January 4.

Meanwhile, southern and central parts of Sweden also felt the impact of storm Anna, the first named storm under the joint Scandinavian system. The storm brought significant snowfall, notably in southern Hälsingland where snow depth surged from a mere 4 centimeters on New Year's Day to over a meter in just three days. Uppsala experienced its wettest January in 300 years, signaling heavy and sustained precipitation. Some southern Norrland areas even witnessed rare snow thunderstorms, as noted by SMHI meteorologist Emma Härenstam.

These extreme conditions have disrupted daily life and underscored the severity of Sweden's winter this year, with persistent and record-breaking cold especially in Lapland and the Tornedalen area, combined with heavy snowfall throughout the south and central regions.