www.fmi.fi
ARCTIC SPACE CENTRE
FINNISH METEOROLOGICAL INSTITUTE, SODANKYLÄ, FINLAND
Welcome to the Arctic Space Centre of Finnish Meteorological Institute in Sodankylä, Finnish Lapland. (67.367 °N, 26.629 °E, 179m)

In Sodankylä we host programs exploring upper-air chemistry and physics, atmospheric column measurements, snow and soil hydrology, biosphere-atmosphere interaction and satellite calibration-validation studies.

Arctic Space Centre hosts also the main infrastructure of FMI for Earth Observation satellite data reception, storage and distribution.

Sodankylä area is included in the boreal region, due to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream. However, with regard to stratospheric meteorology, they can be classified as an Arctic site, often lying beneath the middle or the edge of the stratospheric polar vortex and in the zone of polar stratospheric ozone depletion.

Its strategic location, coupled with ready accessibility from all parts of the world, makes Sodankylä an excellent base for studying various themes of global change in a northern context.

Link to Finnish Meteorological institutes weather forecast page.
Info about satellite activity and links
Some information about litdb and link to litdb
Road camera image on road weather station
Latest satellite image (MODIS)

The Sodankylä calibration and validation (cal-val) services are used in numerous remote sensing missions. The support includes:
  • Long-term measurements of geo-physical variables related to the surface, the atmosphere and near- Earth space.
  • A balloon sounding launch facility for meteorology and atmospheric chemistry.
  • Measurement towers, masts and platforms with versatile instrumentation.
  • High-resolution information on the surface characteristics of the Sodankylä-Pallas area (land use and land cover).
  • Observation time-series with ground-based reference systems of satellite instruments (UV, VIS, IR, MW).
 We provide for visitors and campaign activities:
  • A full-scale meteorological observatory with automated weather observations.
  • Regular solar radiation observations at different wavelength bands from UV to IR.
  • Observations concerning atmosphere-vegetationsnow-soil interaction (including CO2 fluxes).
  • An atmospheric sounding facility that includes the option of automated meteorological soundings and payload recovery possibility for in-situ sensors flown on meteorological balloons.
  • A calibration laboratory for UV and UV-VIS spectrophotometers, auroral cameras and sounding instruments.
  • Technical and IT support including an Internet network (10 Gbps) and a wireless network.
  • Lecture and meeting rooms and a cafeteria.