February this year colder, though sunnier, than average

February 2021 was significantly colder than average, the state weather service (Riigi ilmateenistus) reports, with the average air temperature of -5.7C nearly two degrees lower than the average for the time of year. The range in recorded temperature from highest to lowest values was just under 40 degrees.
At the same time, the month was sunnier than average for recent years.
While precipitation was less than half the average for the month, the snowfall which did also arrive, from late January, was kept in place for several weeks by the low temperatures, until a rise caused a melt in the final days of the month.
The mercury also dipped below the -30C mark, with the lowest temperature, --30.1C, clocked in Jõhvi, Ida-Viru County, early on February 18.
Conversely, the highest temperature, +9.6C in Valga, was recorded just a week later.
Average precipitation was 17 mm for the month, only 42 percent of the norm for February; the largest figure for one day stood at 9 mm, posted in Ristna, Hiiumaa, on the second day of the month.
Average sunshine nationwide stood at 76.4 hours for the month, 121 percent of the norm for the month, the weather service reports.
--
Follow ERR News on Facebook and Twitter and never miss an update!
Editor: Andrew Whyte