Thousands stranded in northern Finland as extreme cold halts flights

HELSINKI, Finland (Journos News) – Thousands of tourists were left stranded in northern Finland on Sunday after extreme cold forced flight cancellations at a key regional airport. The deep freeze, spreading across large parts of Europe, also disrupted rail services, closed schools, and prompted travel warnings in several countries.

Flights at Kittilä Airport, a major hub for Finnish Lapland, stopped operating after temperatures fell to minus 37 degrees Celsius (minus 34.6 Fahrenheit) early Sunday. Finland’s national public broadcaster Yle reported that the cold made aircraft de-icing and ground handling unsafe.

Passengers arriving for or departing from the region were unable to travel, adding pressure during one of the busiest winter tourism periods of the year.

Lapland airport closures strand holiday travelers

Kittilä lies north of the Arctic Circle and serves popular ski resorts and winter holiday destinations. The area attracts large numbers of international visitors, especially during the Christmas and New Year season.

Local hotels and lodging providers said many travelers had no choice but to extend their stays. Some visitors faced limited transport alternatives, as road travel also became difficult in the extreme cold.

Airport officials did not provide a timeline for full operations to resume, saying safety conditions would determine when flights could restart.

Temperatures expected to remain dangerously low

The Finnish Meteorological Institute said the cold spell was expected to continue into Monday. Forecasts showed temperatures dropping close to minus 40 degrees Celsius in parts of northern Finland.

Such conditions pose serious risks to aviation, vehicles, and outdoor activity. Even in Finland, where winter extremes are common, officials described the cold as unusually severe and prolonged.

Meteorologists said the current freeze has affected a wide geographic area, increasing pressure on transport systems and emergency services.

Cold wave disrupts travel across Europe

Similar weather conditions caused problems in several other European countries over the weekend. Heavy snowfall and freezing temperatures continued to disrupt rail travel in Germany.

Passengers experienced long delays and cancellations after Deutsche Bahn, Germany’s national rail operator, suspended all train services in northern parts of the country late last week. While some routes reopened, officials warned that further disruptions remained possible.

Schools closed as icy conditions spread

In North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany’s most populous state, authorities ordered schools to remain closed on Monday. Classes moved online as forecasts warned of icy roads and hazardous travel conditions.

Officials said the decision aimed to reduce accident risks for students and school staff.

Baltic states issue travel warnings

Weather authorities across the Baltic region also issued alerts as conditions worsened. Estonia and Lithuania urged drivers to delay all nonessential travel due to expected blizzards, strong winds, and poor visibility.

Latvia issued a snow alert for western regions of the country, warning that road conditions could deteriorate quickly.

Authorities urge caution as disruptions continue

European weather services warned that the combination of extreme cold, heavy snowfall, and high winds increases the risk of accidents, power outages, and further transport disruptions.

Airlines, rail operators, and road agencies across the region advised travelers to monitor official updates and prepare for delays. Many authorities also urged people to limit travel until conditions improve.

For Finland’s Lapland region, the cold snap has highlighted how extreme weather can overwhelm even well-prepared winter infrastructure. Officials said contingency measures were in place but stressed that safety remained the top priority as temperatures stayed at dangerous levels.