If you have ever browsed photos of Lapland and seen images with snow-covered trees with heavy, dense snow clinging to branches, resembling a wintry crown, you have witnessed the phenomenon Finns call “tykkylumi” or simply “tykky“.
Featured image by Jussi Helttunen and Visit Finland.
The English name for the phenomenon that turns beautiful landscapes into magical landscapes is “crown snow-load” or just “crown snow”. Many tourists coming to Lapland (or perhaps to anywhere in Finland) expect to see this natural phenomenon everywhere, but actually, tykkylumi is only formed under specific conditions.
How Does Tykkylumi (Crown Snow-Load) Form?
As already stated the heavy tykkylumi, or crown snow-load, only forms under specific conditions that involve a combination of factors:
- Wet, Sticky Snow: Tykkylumi requires wet, heavy snow that has a high moisture content. This type of snow is more likely to stick to tree branches.
- Cold Temperatures: Tykkylumi typically occurs in cold temperatures, often slightly below freezing but not too cold to prevent the snow from sticking, the ideal temperature being between −2 and −8 °C (28 and 18 °F).
- Calm Weather: Light to moderate wind conditions are important because too strong winds can shake off the accumulating snow from tree branches. Ideal wind speed for getting that mesmerizing crown snow-load is 3 to 6 m/s (10 to 20 ft/s).
- Adequate Snowfall: There needs to be a sufficient amount of snowfall for the accumulation to build up on the trees.
When these conditions align, wet snow adheres to the branches and twigs of trees, gradually building up into the characteristic crown-like formation so often seen on Instagram and other social media.
Where Can You See Tykkylumi?
In Finland, tykkylumi normally forms in the fell areas of Northern Karelia (Koli), Kainuu (Vuokatti), Koillismaa (Ruka, Oulanka) and Lapland (Saariselkä, Posio, Ruka, Kuusamo, Äkäslompolo etc.).
The best time to spot trees covered in tykky is from January to early March. However, since we are talking about a natural phenomenon there is no guarantee of tykkylumi anywhere in Finland during a given time. Some years, tykkylumi is even found in southern Finland.
If you are booking a holiday in Finland only to see trees covered by heavy snow you should probably book your flight only just before leaving (first ask your hotel or travel agent about the tykky situation in the place where you are going). Keep in mind, however, that waiting until the last minute can backfire, since the most popular accommodation options are often booked even a year in advance.
Outside of Finland, crown snow-loads are observed in other regions with cold and snowy climates, such as Norway, Sweden and Russia. They also occur in areas of North America, including parts of Canada and the northern United States, where similar conditions of wet snow and cold temperatures exist.
What Makes the Photos of Lapland So Magical?
If you thought the amazing photos of Lapland are mesmerizing just thanks to the crown snow-loads, we will let you in on a secret: that is only a part of what makes them so special. What really makes the photos of snowy Lapland so incredible is the combination of the serene fells, altitude differences, sometimes polar night, the snow-covered short spruces that you won’t find elsewhere and then of course the tykkylumi.
In other words, most of the magic is really just Lapland: the trees covered with crown snow-loads are just the cherry on top. The Finnish fells will offer breathtaking views all winter even if there won’t be crown snow-loads. Yes, seeing the heavy snow totally covering trees like popcorn is pretty incredible, but there’s more to Lapland than that.