A capercaillie has been roaming around central Överkalix for several weeks, surprising residents. A local photographer captured the bird on camera as a bird expert offers possible explanations for the unusual urban visit.

A rare black stork that strayed to Tornio, Finland, was found emaciated, taken into care, and moved to a bird rehabilitation center in Oulu. Its recovery is expected to take at least two weeks while experts consider how and where to release it.

This summer brought unusually few mosquitoes to Norrbotten, allowing many to hike in the mountains without being bitten due to a dry spring and cool early summer.

At around noon on August 6, 2025, amateur runner Fredrik Blombäck filmed a rare waterspout moving across the sea near Frevisören outside Kalix.

A powerful lightning storm struck Luleå’s coast overnight, and local resident Maja Granberg filmed multiple bursts of lightning from her balcony. Meteorologist Charlotta Eriksson notes that such a high number of discharges is uncommon.

SOS Alarm in Norrbotten, Sweden is experiencing extreme call volumes from approximately 20 fires triggered by lightning in a heatwave, resulting in delayed emergency response times.

Sustained high temperatures have led to algal blooms at several sites in the Haparanda Archipelago, and local authorities are advising people to avoid bathing.

Several wildfires broke out across Överkalix and other parts of Norrbotten following a thunderstorm and lightning strikes on July 22, 2025, overwhelming local emergency services.

Norrbotten has experienced a persistent heat wave with temperatures above 30 °C for two weeks, and SMHI forecasts 32 °C in Luleå on Wednesday. Meteorologist Linus Karlsson attributes the prolonged heat to stable high pressure, with warmth expected to continue through the week.

Volunteer firefighting flights in Norrbotten faced their most hectic period ever when a Sunday thunderstorm sparked multiple lightning-ignited wildfires, creating a “wall of lightning” that hindered access across Gällivare, Kiruna, Pajala and Porjus.

During week 29 (July 14–20, 2025), Luleå recorded 128 hours of sunshine—the highest weekly total in Sweden since measurements began—surpassing the previous record by four hours.

An algal bloom was detected at the municipal Lulsundet beach in Luleå on July 15, prompting warning signs and questions from residents about potential health and safety risks.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute reports that July 2025 was exceptionally warm across Finland, with Lapland’s Ylitornio experiencing a record 26-day heatwave.

Norrbotten experienced one of its longest recorded heatwaves, with temperatures exceeding 25 °C for over two weeks and setting century-old records in Haparanda and Jokkmokk, according to SMHI.

Luleå kommun has closed its ice rink for the season after observing a rapid melt that reduced the ice thickness by 15 centimeters over two days, raising serious safety concerns.

Above-zero temperatures are rapidly melting the snow cover in Luleå, prompting questions about the future of winter.

Unusually rapid warming and sleet in Lule, Sweden, created extremely icy conditions, leading to the suspension of bus services and a yellow warning for sudden ice, as temperatures rose from -12 to -1 degrees Celsius.

The Torne River on the border between Sweden and Finland has swelled to almost five metres above its usual level in certain parts, due to melting snow ...

The oval ice formations created by wave action were piled up on a Hailuoto beach.

Ice cover over Finlands sea areas is very low. Experts warn that the ice is now very thin over sea, and with spring slowly arriving, the situation is not likely to improve.