In Sweden, warming is twice as fast as the global average.
The researchers have been able to see that before.
But the new analysis of historical weather data from all over Sweden shows that the temperature has risen by 1.9 degrees since the 19th century.
The average temperature during the 30-year period 1861-1890 has been compared with 1991-2020.
SMHI's previous analysis showed that the temperature rose by 1.7 degrees.
The difference is due, among other things, to the fact that extreme heat in 2020 has been added to the measurement series, which added 0.06 degrees.
- Climate change is underway, we see that very clearly in our observations, says Semjon Schimanke, climatologist and project manager, SMHI.
Two weeks shorter snow cover
There are several explanations for why the warming is greater in Sweden than globally, where the temperature has risen by about one degree.
The warming is greater over land, and it is also greater near the Arctic due to reduced reflection by a shrinking snow and ice cover.
In addition, reduced air pollution has led to increased solar radiation.
It has increased by around 10 percent since the mid-1980s.
Together with changing cloudiness, it has led to higher warming.
The warmer climate has also led to fewer snow days now than before.
The number of days with snow cover in the country as a whole has become 16 days fewer if you compare the period 1961-1991 with 1991-2020.
- I think that's a lot, and it's probably what you feel most about climate change in Sweden, says Semjon Schimanke.
Raining more
The snow season has been shortened most in southern and central Sweden, while the difference is smaller in the north.
Another visible effect of climate change is that it rains more.
The average rainfall has increased from 600 mm per year to 700 mm per year.
That is an increase of 17 percent from the 1930s to today.
- There is a significant difference.
We also see that there is now a greater risk of flooding.