Temperatures in Finland last month were between 1.5 and 3.5 degrees Celsius warmer than normal in most parts of the country.
The last time Finland had this much sunshine in March was nearly a decade ago, in 2013. High pressure typically brings clear skies, and this was also the case last month in Finland.
Conditions will heat up with every passing day and weekend highs will be in the 20s across the country.
The brown bears hibernated for only two months due to the warm winter conditions, according to zoo officials.
Sipilä said that during his 40 years working for state-owned parks and wildlife management agency Metsähallitus, he has never seen such poor ice conditions in January.
The northwest coastal city of Oulu was one of several that had over 30-degree Celsius temperatures on Friday.
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