Mittapoikkeama

Mittapoikkeama refers to the phenomenon of the Lofoten Islands in Norway experiencing significantly warmer temperatures than the surrounding areas, due to their geography and ocean currents. The Islands, located in the northernmost part of Norway, are separated from the mainland by the Vestfjorden, a narrow sea strait. This unique geography creates a microclimate effect, where the warmth from the Gulf Stream is concentrated and intensifies as it passes through the islands.

The warming effect of the Gulf Stream is further enhanced by the warm ocean currents that surround the Lofoten Islands. These currents, which are born from the warm waters of the Gulf Stream, bring relatively mild and warm water to the islands, helping to moderate their climate. As a result, the Lofoten Islands experience an unusually mild winter and a relatively cool summer, compared to the mainland.

The local effects of mittapoikkeama are particularly pronounced in the visitation numbers to the islands which experience a warmer climate than the mainland resulting in these islands experiencing some of the most visited islands in the country outside of Tromsø and to a lesser degree outside of the capital city of Oslo. This mikroclima helps in maintaining biodiversity and habitat for the native marine life which are a unique concern and value of the area.

While mittapoikkeama is an intriguing phenomenon, it also highlights the vulnerability of local ecosystems to climate change. As the global climate continues to change, the microclimate conditions in the Lofoten Islands may be affected, with potentially significant consequences for the local environment and its biodiversity.