Cold northern countries are being scorched by “truly unprecedented” heat as hot weather, intensified by carbon dioxide pollution, continues to bake Northern Europe, writes The Guardian.

A weather station in the Norwegian part of the Arctic Circle recorded temperatures above 30 degrees Celsius for 13 days in July, while Finland experienced three consecutive weeks of 30-degree heat.

Scientists say this is the longest streak in recorded history since 1961 and 50% longer than the previous record.

“The truly unprecedented heatwave is still in full swing, with highs today reaching around 32-33 degrees Celsius,” said Mika Rantanen, a climatologist at the Finnish Meteorological Institute. "Even in the Arctic regions... the air temperature has exceeded 25 degrees Celsius for three weeks, and tomorrow it may break August records."

The Norwegian Meteorological Institute reported that temperatures above 30 degrees were recorded for 12 days in July at least at one station in Norway's three northernmost counties.

Although there was a brief respite last week as the hot weather moved north and east, the institute said it expected temperatures to rise again to 30 degrees over the weekend.

In Sweden, meteorologists reported prolonged heat at several stations in the north of the country, with air temperatures reaching 25 degrees Celsius or more for 14 consecutive days at a weather station in Haparanda. In Jokkmokk, Lapland, the heat lasted for 15 days.