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{{Short description|none}} <!-- This short description is INTENTIONALLY "none" - please see WP:SDNONE before you consider changing it! -->
[[Image:Faroes030417-nasa(2).jpg|thumb|Faroe Islands on NASA satellite image.]]
[[File:Faroe Islands by Sentinel-2.jpg|thumb|Satellite image of the Faroe Islands]]
The [[Faroe Islands]] are an island group consisting of eighteen islands off the coast of Northern Europe, between the [[Norwegian Sea]] and the [[North Atlantic]], about half-way between [[Iceland]] and [[Norway]]. Its coordinates are {{coord|62|N|7|W|}}. It is 1,393 square kilometres in area, and includes no major lakes or rivers. There are 1,117 kilometres of coastline, and no land boundaries with any other country.
The [[Faroe Islands]] are an island group consisting of eighteen islands between the [[Norwegian Sea]] and the [[North Atlantic]], about half-way between [[Iceland]] and [[Norway]]. Its coordinates are {{coord|62|N|7|W|}}. It is 1,393 square kilometres in area, and includes [[List of lakes of the Faroe Islands|small lakes]] and rivers, but no major ones. There are 1,117 kilometres of coastline, and no land boundaries with any other country.


The Faroe Islands generally have cool summers and mild winters, with a usually overcast sky and frequent fog and strong winds. Although at a high latitude, due to the [[Gulf Stream]], their climate is ameliorated. The islands are rugged and rocky with some low peaks; the coasts are mostly bordered by cliffs. The Faroe Islands are notable for having the highest sea cliffs in Europe, and some of the highest in the world otherwise. The lowest point is at sea level, and the highest is at [[Slættaratindur]], which is 882 metres above sea level. The landscape made roadbuilding difficult, and only recently has this been remedied by building tunnels.
The Faroe Islands generally have cool summers and cool to cold winters, with a usually overcast sky and frequent fog and strong winds. Although at a high latitude, due to the [[Gulf Stream]] their climate is ameliorated. The islands are rugged and rocky with some low peaks; the coasts are mostly bordered by cliffs. The Faroe Islands are notable for having the highest sea cliffs in Europe, and some of the highest in the world otherwise. The lowest point is at sea level, and the highest is at [[Slættaratindur]], which is 882 metres above sea level. The landscape made roadbuilding difficult, and only recently has this been [[List of tunnels of the Faroe Islands|remedied by building tunnels]].
[[Image:Beinisvord, westcoast of suduroy, faroe islands.JPG|thumb|right|View of the west coast of [[Suðuroy]].]]
[[File:Beinisvord, westcoast of suduroy, faroe islands.JPG|thumb|right|View of the west coast of [[Suðuroy]]]]
[[File:FaroeIslands2022OSM.png|thumb|right|Detailed map of the Faroe Islands]]


Many of the Faroese islands tend to be elongated in shape.
Many of the Faroese islands tend to be elongated in shape. [[Natural resource]]s include [[Fishing|fish]] and [[hydropower]].

[[Natural resource]]s include [[Fishing|fish]] and [[hydropower]].


== Statistics ==
== Statistics ==
[[File:Operational Navigation Chart D-1, 10th edition.jpg|thumb|left|Map including the Faroe Islands]]

; [[Geographic coordinates]]:
; [[Geographic coordinates]]:
:* {{coord|62|00|N|06|47|W|type:country}}
:* {{coord|62|00|N|06|47|W|type:country}}
Line 19: Line 19:
; Area:
; Area:
:* Land: 1,393 km² <ref>[http://www.faroeislands.org.uk/Default.aspx?ID=2457 Statistical Facts<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
:* Land: 1,393 km² <ref>[http://www.faroeislands.org.uk/Default.aspx?ID=2457 Statistical Facts<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
:* Water: 7,19 km² (the area includes 10 of the largest lakes. There are a number of smaller lakes and streams.)<ref>[http://www.us.fo/Default.aspx?ID=6564 US.fo]</ref>
:* Water: 7.19 km² (the area includes 10 of the largest lakes. There are a number of smaller lakes and streams.)<ref>[http://www.us.fo/Default.aspx?ID=6564 US.fo] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110720203526/http://www.us.fo/Default.aspx?ID=6564 |date=2011-07-20 }}</ref>
; Land boundaries:
; Land boundaries:
: 0 km
: 0 km
; Coastline:
; Coastline:
: 1,117 km
: 1,289 km <ref>[http://www.us.fo/Default.aspx?ID=6566 US.fo]</ref>
; Maritime claims:
; Maritime claims:
:* Territorial sea: {{convert|3|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on}}
:* Continental shelf: {{convert|200|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on|lk=in}} or agreed boundaries or median line
:* Continental shelf: {{convert|200|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on|lk=in}} or agreed boundaries or median line
:* Exclusive economic zone: {{convert|200|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on}} or agreed boundaries or median line
:* Exclusive economic zone: {{convert|200|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on}} or agreed boundaries or median line
:* Territorial sea: {{convert|12|nmi|km mi|1|abbr=on}}<ref>[http://www.logir.fo/foldb/ano/2002/0000240.htm Anordning nr. 240 frá 30. april 2002 om ikrafttræden for Færøerne af lov om afgrænsning af søterritoriet<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref>
; Climate:
; Climate:
: Subarctic [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfc'') moderated by [[North Atlantic drift|North Atlantic Current]]; long, mild, windy winters; short, cool summers, damp in the South and West. [[Arctic climate]] (Köppen ''ET'') in some mountains.
: Subarctic [[oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''Cfc'') moderated by [[North Atlantic drift|North Atlantic Current]]; long, mild, windy winters; short, cool summers, damp in the South and West. [[Arctic climate]] (Köppen ''ET'') in some mountains.
; Terrain:
; Terrain:
: Rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast. The coasts are deeply indented with [[fjord]]s, and the narrow passages between islands are agitated by strong tidal currents.
: Rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast. The coasts are deeply indented with [[fjord]]s, and the narrow passages between islands are agitated by strong tidal currents. Multiple [[sea stacks]] exist along the coast.
; Elevation extremes:
; Elevation extremes:
:* Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
:* Lowest point: Atlantic Ocean 0 m
:* Highest point: [[Slættaratindur]] 882 m
:* Highest point: [[Slættaratindur]] 880 m
; Natural resources:
; Natural resources:
: [[fishing|Fish]], [[hydropower]], possible [[petroleum]] and [[gas]].
: [[fishing|Fish]], [[whales]], [[hydropower]], [[Wind power|wind]], possible [[petroleum]] and [[natural gas]]
; Land use:
; Land use:
:* Arable land: 2.14%
:* Arable land: 2.14%
:* Permanent crops: 0%
:* Permanent crops: 0%
:* Other: 97.86% (2001 est.)
:* Other: 97.86% (2012)
; Environment—international agreements:
; Environment—international agreements:
: [[Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter|Marine Dumping]]
: [[Convention on the Prevention of Marine Pollution by Dumping of Wastes and Other Matter|Marine dumping]]

==Climate==
The climate is classed as [[subpolar oceanic climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification]] ''[[Oceanic climate|Cfc]]''), with areas having a [[tundra]] climate, especially in the mountains, although some coastal or low-lying areas may have very mild-winter versions of a tundra climate. The overall character of the climate of the islands is influenced by the strong warming influence of the Atlantic Ocean, which produces the [[North Atlantic Current]]. This, together with the remoteness of any source of landmass-induced warm or cold airflows, ensures that winters are mild (mean temperature 3.0 to 4.0&nbsp;°C or 37 to 39&nbsp;°F) while summers are cool (mean temperature 9.5 to 10.5&nbsp;°C or 49 to 51&nbsp;°F).

The islands are windy, cloudy and cool throughout the year with an average of 210 rainy or snowy days per year. The islands lie in the path of depressions moving northeast, making strong winds and heavy rain possible at all times of the year. Sunny days are rare and overcast days are common. [[Hurricane Faith]] struck the Faroe Islands on 5 September 1966 with sustained winds over 100&nbsp;mph (160&nbsp;km/h) and only then did the storm cease to be a tropical system.<ref>GHCN Climate data, Thorshavn series 1881 to 2007</ref>

[[File:Faroe Islands, Eysturoy, Funningsfjørður (fjord) in October.jpg|left|thumb|An October evening on [[Eysturoy]]]]
Due to the altitude, ocean currents, topography, and winds, the islands exhibit a variety of [[microclimate]]s. Precipitation varies considerably throughout the archipelago. In some highland areas, snow cover may last for months with snowfalls possible for the greater part of the year (on the highest peaks, summer snowfall is by no means rare), while in some sheltered coastal locations, several years pass without any snowfall whatsoever.

{{Weather box
| width = auto
| location = [[Tórshavn]] (1991–2020, extremes 1961–2021)
| metric first = Yes
| single line = Yes
| collapsed = Yes
| Jan record high C = 11.6
| Feb record high C = 13.0
| Mar record high C = 12.3
| Apr record high C = 18.3
| May record high C = 19.7
| Jun record high C = 20.0
| Jul record high C = 20.2
| Aug record high C = 22.0
| Sep record high C = 19.5
| Oct record high C = 16.3
| Nov record high C = 14.7
| Dec record high C = 13.2
| year record high C = 22.0
| Jan high C = 6.2
| Feb high C = 6.0
| Mar high C = 6.4
| Apr high C = 7.6
| May high C = 9.3
| Jun high C = 11.3
| Jul high C = 12.9
| Aug high C = 13.3
| Sep high C = 11.9
| Oct high C = 9.6
| Nov high C = 7.6
| Dec high C = 6.5
| year high C = 9.0
| Jan mean C = 4.3
| Feb mean C = 4.0
| Mar mean C = 4.3
| Apr mean C = 5.4
| May mean C = 7.1
| Jun mean C = 9.1
| Jul mean C = 10.7
| Aug mean C = 11.1
| Sep mean C = 10.0
| Oct mean C = 7.8
| Nov mean C = 5.8
| Dec mean C = 4.5
| year mean C = 7.0
| Jan low C = 2.1
| Feb low C = 1.6
| Mar low C = 2.1
| Apr low C = 3.2
| May low C = 5.0
| Jun low C = 7.3
| Jul low C = 9.1
| Aug low C = 9.3
| Sep low C = 8.1
| Oct low C = 5.7
| Nov low C = 3.6
| Dec low C = 2.2
| year low C = 4.9
| Jan record low C = -8.8
| Feb record low C = -11.0
| Mar record low C = -9.2
| Apr record low C = -9.9
| May record low C = -3.0
| Jun record low C = 0.0
| Jul record low C = 1.5
| Aug record low C = 1.5
| Sep record low C = -0.6
| Oct record low C = -4.5
| Nov record low C = -7.2
| Dec record low C = -10.5
| year record low C = -11.0
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation mm = 164.5
| Feb precipitation mm = 128.1
| Mar precipitation mm = 127.8
| Apr precipitation mm = 91.2
| May precipitation mm = 68.4
| Jun precipitation mm = 62.3
| Jul precipitation mm = 70.1
| Aug precipitation mm = 91.8
| Sep precipitation mm = 116.3
| Oct precipitation mm = 145.0
| Nov precipitation mm = 151.8
| Dec precipitation mm = 154.4
| year precipitation mm = 1359.5
| humidity colour =
| Jan humidity = 89
| Feb humidity = 88
| Mar humidity = 88
| Apr humidity = 87
| May humidity = 87
| Jun humidity = 88
| Jul humidity = 89
| Aug humidity = 90
| Sep humidity = 89
| Oct humidity = 89
| Nov humidity = 88
| Dec humidity = 89
| year humidity = 88
| unit precipitation days = 0.1 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 26
| Feb precipitation days = 23
| Mar precipitation days = 26
| Apr precipitation days = 22
| May precipitation days = 19
| Jun precipitation days = 18
| Jul precipitation days = 19
| Aug precipitation days = 20
| Sep precipitation days = 23
| Oct precipitation days = 26
| Nov precipitation days = 26
| Dec precipitation days = 27
| year precipitation days = 273
| Jan snow days = 8.3
| Feb snow days = 6.6
| Mar snow days = 8.0
| Apr snow days = 4.4
| May snow days = 1.5
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.1
| Oct snow days = 1.4
| Nov snow days = 5.5
| Dec snow days = 8.2
| year snow days = 44.0
| Jan sun = 14.5
| Feb sun = 36.7
| Mar sun = 72.8
| Apr sun = 108.6
| May sun = 137.8
| Jun sun = 128.6
| Jul sun = 103.6
| Aug sun = 100.9
| Sep sun = 82.7
| Oct sun = 53.4
| Nov sun = 21.1
| Dec sun = 7.8
| year sun = 868.2
| source 1 = [[Danish Meteorological Institute]] (humidity 1961–1990, precipitation days 1961–1990, snowy days 1961–1990),<ref name= DMItorshavn>{{cite web
| url = http://www.dmi.dk/fileadmin/Rapporter/TR/tr11-20.pdf
| title = Monthly means and extremes 1961–1990 and 1981–2010 for air temperature, atmospheric pressure, hours of bright sunshine and precipitation–Denmark, The Faroe Islands and Greenland
| publisher = Danish Meteorological Institute
| pages = 16–19
| date = January 2011
| access-date = 18 January 2015}}</ref><ref name="Climate graph torshavn">{{Cite web |url=http://www.dmi.dk/vejrarkiv/normaler-faroerne/|title=Klimanormaler for Færøerne|access-date=2021-11-25|website=Danish Meteorological Institute|language=da}}</ref> infoclimat.fr<ref>{{Cite web|title=Normales et records pour la période 1991-2020 à Thorshavn|url=https://www.infoclimat.fr/climatologie/normales-records/1991-2020/thorshavn/valeurs/06011.html|access-date=2021-11-25}}</ref> (record high)
| source =
}}

Tórshavn receives frosts more often than other areas just a short distance to the south. Snow is also seen at a much higher frequency than outlying islands nearby. The area receives on average 49 frosts a year.<ref name="Tórshavn DMI">{{cite web
| url = http://www.dmi.dk/fileadmin/Rapporter/TR/tr11-20.pdf
| title = Monthly means and extremes 1961–1990 and 1981–2010 for air temperature, atmospheric pressure, hours of bright sunshine and precipitation–Denmark, The Faroe Islands and Greenland
| publisher = Danish Meteorological Institute
| pages = 16–19
| access-date = January 18, 2015}}</ref>

{{Weather box|width=100%|collapsed = Y
|location = [[Mykines, Faroe Islands|Mykines]], 105 m.a.s.l.
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 9.0
|Feb record high C = 9.5
|Mar record high C = 10.0
|Apr record high C = 12.5
|May record high C = 13.0
|Jun record high C = 15.0
|Jul record high C = 16.0
|Aug record high C = 16.0
|Sep record high C = 14.0
|Oct record high C = 11.5
|Nov record high C = 10.6
|Dec record high C = 9.5
|year record high C = 16.0
|Jan high C = 5.1
|Feb high C = 5.1
|Mar high C = 5.2
|Apr high C = 6.6
|May high C = 8.0
|Jun high C = 10.2
|Jul high C = 10.9
|Aug high C = 11.3
|Sep high C = 10.2
|Oct high C = 8.8
|Nov high C = 6.0
|Dec high C = 4.9
|year high C = 7.7
|Jan mean C = 3.5
|Feb mean C = 3.5
|Mar mean C = 3.5
|Apr mean C = 4.8
|May mean C = 6.2
|Jun mean C = 8.5
|Jul mean C = 9.2
|Aug mean C = 9.6
|Sep mean C = 8.7
|Oct mean C = 7.4
|Nov mean C = 4.6
|Dec mean C = 3.3
|year mean C = 6.1
|Jan low C = 1.7
|Feb low C = 1.5
|Mar low C = 1.5
|Apr low C = 3.0
|May low C = 4.7
|Jun low C = 7.1
|Jul low C = 7.8
|Aug low C = 8.2
|Sep low C = 7.3
|Oct low C = 5.7
|Nov low C = 2.7
|Dec low C = 1.5
|year low C = 4.4
|Jan record low C = -7.0
|Feb record low C = -11.0
|Mar record low C = -8.0
|Apr record low C = -10.0
|May record low C = -2.6
|Jun record low C = 1.0
|Jul record low C = 4.1
|Aug record low C = 4.2
|Sep record low C = 0.4
|Oct record low C = -5.0
|Nov record low C = -7.0
|Dec record low C = -7.0
|year record low C = -11.0
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 77
|Feb precipitation mm = 56
|Mar precipitation mm = 88
|Apr precipitation mm = 53
|May precipitation mm = 31
|Jun precipitation mm = 49
|Jul precipitation mm = 47
|Aug precipitation mm = 61
|Sep precipitation mm = 96
|Oct precipitation mm = 95
|Nov precipitation mm = 80
|Dec precipitation mm = 90
|year precipitation mm = 823
|Jan humidity = 82
|Feb humidity = 81
|Mar humidity = 83
|Apr humidity = 83
|May humidity = 84
|Jun humidity = 87
|Jul humidity = 86
|Aug humidity = 87
|Sep humidity = 85
|Oct humidity = 84
|Nov humidity = 81
|Dec humidity = 80
|year humidity = 84
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 17
|Feb precipitation days = 12
|Mar precipitation days = 18
|Apr precipitation days = 13
|May precipitation days = 9.2
|Jun precipitation days = 12
|Jul precipitation days = 12
|Aug precipitation days = 11
|Sep precipitation days = 15
|Oct precipitation days = 18
|Nov precipitation days = 16
|Dec precipitation days = 19
|year precipitation days = 171
|source 1 = [[Danish Meteorological Institute]]<ref name="DMI">{{cite web
| url = http://www.dmi.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/Rapporter/TR/1998/tr98-14.pdf
| title = The Climate of The Faroe Islands - with Climatological Standard Normals, 1961-1990 Greenland
| publisher = Danish Meteorological Institute
| access-date = August 19, 2015}}</ref>{{pn|date=October 2017}}
}}
While receiving more frost than most of the Faroe Islands, Mykines is more temperate in the winter than nearby Vágar. Snow is also less common despite the relatively lower winter temperatures due to the relatively low precipitation in the area. It also has a very mild tundra climate bordering on subpolar oceanic. Frost occurs on 46 days in an average year<ref name="DMI"/> It is also likely that the lower areas of the island experience less than this, as the weather station is located at 105 meters above sea level.<ref name="DMI" />

{{Weather box|width=100%|collapsed = Y
|location = [[Akraberg]], [[Suðuroy]], 101 m.a.s.l.
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 9.6
|Feb record high C = 8.8
|Mar record high C = 9.2
|Apr record high C = 13.0
|May record high C = 15.2
|Jun record high C = 17.2
|Jul record high C = 17.6
|Aug record high C = 18.4
|Sep record high C = 17.2
|Oct record high C = 11.8
|Nov record high C = 10.8
|Dec record high C = 9.8
|year record high C = 18.4
|Jan high C = 5.4
|Feb high C = 5.4
|Mar high C = 5.5
|Apr high C = 6.5
|May high C = 8.1
|Jun high C = 9.9
|Jul high C = 11.1
|Aug high C = 11.4
|Sep high C = 10.2
|Oct high C = 8.8
|Nov high C = 6.6
|Dec high C = 5.8
|year high C = 7.9
|Jan mean C = 3.8
|Feb mean C = 3.9
|Mar mean C = 4.0
|Apr mean C = 4.8
|May mean C = 6.6
|Jun mean C = 8.4
|Jul mean C = 9.6
|Aug mean C = 10.0
|Sep mean C = 8.9
|Oct mean C = 7.5
|Nov mean C = 5.1
|Dec mean C = 4.2
|year mean C = 6.4
|Jan low C = 1.9
|Feb low C = 2.0
|Mar low C = 2.0
|Apr low C = 2.9
|May low C = 5.0
|Jun low C = 6.9
|Jul low C = 8.1
|Aug low C = 8.5
|Sep low C = 7.2
|Oct low C = 5.8
|Nov low C = 3.2
|Dec low C = 2.2
|year low C = 4.6
|Jan record low C = -7.2
|Feb record low C = -10.6
|Mar record low C = -7.0
|Apr record low C = -9.3
|May record low C = -4.0
|Jun record low C = 0.0
|Jul record low C = 2.0
|Aug record low C = 3.0
|Sep record low C = 0.0
|Oct record low C = -2.6
|Nov record low C = -5.6
|Dec record low C = -8.4
|year record low C = -10.6
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 90
|Feb precipitation mm = 60
|Mar precipitation mm = 77
|Apr precipitation mm = 48
|May precipitation mm = 43
|Jun precipitation mm = 51
|Jul precipitation mm = 65
|Aug precipitation mm = 65
|Sep precipitation mm = 94
|Oct precipitation mm = 108
|Nov precipitation mm = 90
|Dec precipitation mm = 95
|year precipitation mm = 884
|Jan humidity = 85
|Feb humidity = 85
|Mar humidity = 85
|Apr humidity = 85
|May humidity = 88
|Jun humidity = 89
|Jul humidity = 91
|Aug humidity = 91
|Sep humidity = 89
|Oct humidity = 87
|Nov humidity = 84
|Dec humidity = 84
|year humidity = 87
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 18
|Feb precipitation days = 13
|Mar precipitation days = 17
|Apr precipitation days = 12
|May precipitation days = 10
|Jun precipitation days = 11
|Jul precipitation days = 12
|Aug precipitation days = 12
|Sep precipitation days = 16
|Oct precipitation days = 18
|Nov precipitation days = 17
|Dec precipitation days = 19
|year precipitation days = 173
|source 1 = [[Danish Meteorological Institute]]<ref name="Akraberg DMI">{{cite web
| url = http://www.dmi.dk/fileadmin/user_upload/Rapporter/TR/1998/tr98-14.pdf
| title = The Climate of The Faroe Islands - with Climatological Standard Normals, 1961-1990 Greenland
| publisher = Danish Meteorological Institute
| access-date = August 19, 2015}}</ref>
}}
Akraberg is milder than much of the Faroe Islands and experiences frost on 38 days in an average year,<ref name="Akraberg DMI"/> possibly less in lower areas, as the weather station is located at an elevation of 101 meters above sea level.<ref name="Akraberg DMI"/>

{{Weather box|width=100%|collapsed = Y
|location = [[Vágar Airport]], [[Vágar]], 84 m.a.s.l.
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 10.3
|Feb record high C = 9.5
|Mar record high C = 12.5
|Apr record high C = 14.8
|May record high C = 20.8
|Jun record high C = 21.6
|Jul record high C = 24.0
|Aug record high C = 23.5
|Sep record high C = 20.5
|Oct record high C = 14.0
|Nov record high C = 12.0
|Dec record high C = 12.2
|year record high C = 24.0
|Jan high C = 4.8
|Feb high C = 4.8
|Mar high C = 5.2
|Apr high C = 6.4
|May high C = 8.8
|Jun high C = 10.8
|Jul high C = 12.1
|Aug high C = 12.3
|Sep high C = 10.4
|Oct high C = 8.6
|Nov high C = 6.1
|Dec high C = 5.3
|year high C = 8.0
|Jan mean C = 2.7
|Feb mean C = 2.7
|Mar mean C = 3.1
|Apr mean C = 4.3
|May mean C = 6.6
|Jun mean C = 8.7
|Jul mean C = 10.2
|Aug mean C = 10.4
|Sep mean C = 8.6
|Oct mean C = 6.8
|Nov mean C = 4.2
|Dec mean C = 3.3
|year mean C = 6.0
|Jan low C = 0.5
|Feb low C = 0.6
|Mar low C = 0.9
|Apr low C = 2.1
|May low C = 4.4
|Jun low C = 6.6
|Jul low C = 8.3
|Aug low C = 8.5
|Sep low C = 6.7
|Oct low C = 4.8
|Nov low C = 2.1
|Dec low C = 1.1
|year low C = 3.9
|Jan record low C = -10.0
|Feb record low C = -11.7
|Mar record low C = -10.6
|Apr record low C = -9.9
|May record low C = -5.0
|Jun record low C = -0.3
|Jul record low C = 1.4
|Aug record low C = 1.0
|Sep record low C = -2.5
|Oct record low C = -6.4
|Nov record low C = -10.0
|Dec record low C = -10.9
|year record low C = -11.7
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 163
|Feb precipitation mm = 122
|Mar precipitation mm = 141
|Apr precipitation mm = 120
|May precipitation mm = 83
|Jun precipitation mm = 81
|Jul precipitation mm = 115
|Aug precipitation mm = 133
|Sep precipitation mm = 151
|Oct precipitation mm = 164
|Nov precipitation mm = 140
|Dec precipitation mm = 142
|year precipitation mm = 1555
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 23
|Feb precipitation days = 19
|Mar precipitation days = 21
|Apr precipitation days = 18
|May precipitation days = 13
|Jun precipitation days = 11
|Jul precipitation days = 15
|Aug precipitation days = 18
|Sep precipitation days = 19
|Oct precipitation days = 20
|Nov precipitation days = 18
|Dec precipitation days = 20
|year precipitation days = 215
|source 1 = [[Danish Meteorological Institute]]<ref name="DMI"/>{{pn|date=October 2017}}
}}
Vágar has colder and snowier winters than most other places in the archipelago. Lower temperatures combined with higher precipitation are responsible for this, and measurable snow cover can be seen- a rarity in the Faroe Islands, in which snow cover (in areas which regularly experience it) is usually limited to a thin coating. The airport, at which data is recorded, is also located at a higher altitude on the island (84 meters above sea level<ref name=DMI />), which might result in lower temperatures and higher precipitation than lower-lying areas on the island. Frost occurs on average on 62 days of the year,<ref name=DMI /> the most out of all stations included in the records of the Danish Meteorological Institute.

{{Weather box|width=100%|collapsed = Y
|location = [[Kirkja]], [[Fugloy]], 53 m.a.s.l.
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 13.4
|Feb record high C = 12.0
|Mar record high C = 13.0
|Apr record high C = 14.9
|May record high C = 19.8
|Jun record high C = 20.0
|Jul record high C = 21.3
|Aug record high C = 20.8
|Sep record high C = 20.6
|Oct record high C = 18.8
|Nov record high C = 13.0
|Dec record high C = 14.5
|year record high C = 21.3
|Jan high C = 6.7
|Feb high C = 5.8
|Mar high C = 6.5
|Apr high C = 7.2
|May high C = 9.2
|Jun high C = 11.2
|Jul high C = 12.8
|Aug high C = 13.4
|Sep high C = 11.8
|Oct high C = 9.5
|Nov high C = 7.5
|Dec high C = 6.6
|year high C = 9.0
|Jan mean C = 4.6
|Feb mean C = 3.7
|Mar mean C = 4.3
|Apr mean C = 5.2
|May mean C = 7.0
|Jun mean C = 9.0
|Jul mean C = 10.6
|Aug mean C = 11.2
|Sep mean C = 9.7
|Oct mean C = 7.5
|Nov mean C = 5.8
|Dec mean C = 4.4
|year mean C = 6.9
|Jan low C = 2.4
|Feb low C = 1.5
|Mar low C = 1.8
|Apr low C = 2.9
|May low C = 4.9
|Jun low C = 7.0
|Jul low C = 8.8
|Aug low C = 9.3
|Sep low C = 7.7
|Oct low C = 5.5
|Nov low C = 3.8
|Dec low C = 2.2
|year low C = 4.8
|Jan record low C = -6.2
|Feb record low C = -5.5
|Mar record low C = -9.1
|Apr record low C = -4.2
|May record low C = -2.4
|Jun record low C = 1.5
|Jul record low C = 4.1
|Aug record low C = 4.9
|Sep record low C = 0.9
|Oct record low C = -2.0
|Nov record low C = -3.2
|Dec record low C = -6.2
|year record low C = -9.1
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 94
|Feb precipitation mm = 87
|Mar precipitation mm = 94
|Apr precipitation mm = 84
|May precipitation mm = 67
|Jun precipitation mm = 66
|Jul precipitation mm = 80
|Aug precipitation mm = 83
|Sep precipitation mm = 85
|Oct precipitation mm = 111
|Nov precipitation mm = 97
|Dec precipitation mm = 93
|year precipitation mm = 1040
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 18
|Feb precipitation days = 17
|Mar precipitation days = 18
|Apr precipitation days = 12
|May precipitation days = 13
|Jun precipitation days = 9.8
|Jul precipitation days = 9.7
|Aug precipitation days = 13
|Sep precipitation days = 15
|Oct precipitation days = 17
|Nov precipitation days = 18
|Dec precipitation days = 15
|year precipitation days = 175
|source 1 = [[Danish Meteorological Institute]]<ref name="DMI"/>{{pn|date=October 2017}}
}}
Kirkja has a very mild climate, similar to Akraberg. It has the lowest frequency of frosts out of all weather stations included in the records by the Danish Meteorological Institute, with 36 days of frost in an average year.<ref name=DMI /> Snowfall is uncommon, due to mild temperatures and relatively low precipitation. The weather station is somewhat high at 53 meters above sea level,<ref name=DMI /> which could possibly affect the data, but not as much as the previous stations.

{{Weather box|width=100%|collapsed = Y
|location = [[Nólsoy]], 80 m.a.s.l.
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 12.1
|Feb record high C = 10.6
|Mar record high C = 10.8
|Apr record high C = 13.3
|May record high C = 18.2
|Jun record high C = 18.6
|Jul record high C = 18.0
|Aug record high C = 17.8
|Sep record high C = 17.2
|Oct record high C = 14.0
|Nov record high C = 12.2
|Dec record high C = 11.5
|year record high C = 18.6
|Jan high C = 5.2
|Feb high C = 5.5
|Mar high C = 5.8
|Apr high C = 6.8
|May high C = 8.8
|Jun high C = 10.6
|Jul high C = 11.9
|Aug high C = 12.2
|Sep high C = 10.6
|Oct high C = 8.9
|Nov high C = 6.8
|Dec high C = 5.9
|year high C = 8.2
|Jan mean C = 3.5
|Feb mean C = 3.8
|Mar mean C = 3.9
|Apr mean C = 4.7
|May mean C = 6.7
|Jun mean C = 8.5
|Jul mean C = 9.9
|Aug mean C = 10.2
|Sep mean C = 8.8
|Oct mean C = 7.3
|Nov mean C = 5.0
|Dec mean C = 4.0
|year mean C = 6.3
|Jan low C = 1.2
|Feb low C = 1.6
|Mar low C = 1.6
|Apr low C = 2.5
|May low C = 4.8
|Jun low C = 6.6
|Jul low C = 8.2
|Aug low C = 8.4
|Sep low C = 6.8
|Oct low C = 5.2
|Nov low C = 2.8
|Dec low C = 1.6
|year low C = 4.3
|Jan record low C = -7.6
|Feb record low C = -6.8
|Mar record low C = -8.4
|Apr record low C = -6.6
|May record low C = -2.6
|Jun record low C = 0.4
|Jul record low C = 2.7
|Aug record low C = 2.4
|Sep record low C = 1.0
|Oct record low C = -4.0
|Nov record low C = -7.2
|Dec record low C = -9.2
|year record low C = -9.2
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 99
|Feb precipitation mm = 72
|Mar precipitation mm = 92
|Apr precipitation mm = 59
|May precipitation mm = 56
|Jun precipitation mm = 54
|Jul precipitation mm = 60
|Aug precipitation mm = 66
|Sep precipitation mm = 107
|Oct precipitation mm = 126
|Nov precipitation mm = 107
|Dec precipitation mm = 109
|year precipitation mm = 1006
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 19
|Feb precipitation days = 15
|Mar precipitation days = 18
|Apr precipitation days = 13
|May precipitation days = 12
|Jun precipitation days = 11
|Jul precipitation days = 12
|Aug precipitation days = 13
|Sep precipitation days = 18
|Oct precipitation days = 20
|Nov precipitation days = 19
|Dec precipitation days = 20
|year precipitation days = 189
|source 1 = [[Danish Meteorological Institute]]<ref name="DMI"/>{{pn|date=October 2017}}
}}
Nólsoy experiences a climate that is quite typical of the surrounding area and the Faroe Islands in general, and is similar to nearby Tórshavn. There are on average 44 days of frost a year.<ref name=DMI /> Also, as in the case of previous weather stations, the location is higher on its respective island, and the climate of the lower areas of the island differs slightly.

{{Weather box|width=100%|collapsed = Y
|location = [[Sandur, Faroe Islands|Sandur]], [[Sandoy]], 5 m.a.s.l.
|metric first = Y
|single line = Y
|Jan record high C = 11.1
|Feb record high C = 13.2
|Mar record high C = 12.2
|Apr record high C = 13.2
|May record high C = 18.9
|Jun record high C = 19.0
|Jul record high C = 21.4
|Aug record high C = 19.8
|Sep record high C = 15.4
|Oct record high C = 14.8
|Nov record high C = 12.4
|Dec record high C = 12.4
|year record high C = 21.4
|Jan high C = 5.7
|Feb high C = 5.9
|Mar high C = 6.3
|Apr high C = 7.5
|May high C = 9.8
|Jun high C = 11.8
|Jul high C = 13.0
|Aug high C = 13.2
|Sep high C = 11.3
|Oct high C = 9.5
|Nov high C = 7.1
|Dec high C = 6.1
|year high C = 8.9
|Jan mean C = 3.9
|Feb mean C = 4.1
|Mar mean C = 4.3
|Apr mean C = 5.5
|May mean C = 7.7
|Jun mean C = 9.6
|Jul mean C = 11.0
|Aug mean C = 11.2
|Sep mean C = 9.5
|Oct mean C = 7.8
|Nov mean C = 5.4
|Dec mean C = 4.2
|year mean C = 7.0
|Jan low C = 1.6
|Feb low C = 1.9
|Mar low C = 2.1
|Apr low C = 3.2
|May low C = 5.4
|Jun low C = 7.5
|Jul low C = 9.1
|Aug low C = 9.4
|Sep low C = 7.5
|Oct low C = 5.8
|Nov low C = 3.2
|Dec low C = 1.9
|year low C = 4.9
|Jan record low C = -7.8
|Feb record low C = -6.0
|Mar record low C = -7.9
|Apr record low C = -5.1
|May record low C = -2.4
|Jun record low C = 0.7
|Jul record low C = 4.4
|Aug record low C = 3.1
|Sep record low C = 0.8
|Oct record low C = -2.3
|Nov record low C = -6.1
|Dec record low C = -9.3
|year record low C = -9.3
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 133
|Feb precipitation mm = 89
|Mar precipitation mm = 110
|Apr precipitation mm = 69
|May precipitation mm = 64
|Jun precipitation mm = 58
|Jul precipitation mm = 71
|Aug precipitation mm = 78
|Sep precipitation mm = 118
|Oct precipitation mm = 146
|Nov precipitation mm = 125
|Dec precipitation mm = 131
|year precipitation mm = 1193
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
|Jan precipitation days = 19
|Feb precipitation days = 15
|Mar precipitation days = 18
|Apr precipitation days = 13
|May precipitation days = 11
|Jun precipitation days = 11
|Jul precipitation days = 12
|Aug precipitation days = 11
|Sep precipitation days = 16
|Oct precipitation days = 19
|Nov precipitation days = 17
|Dec precipitation days = 19
|year precipitation days = 179
|source 1 = [[Danish Meteorological Institute]]<ref name="DMI"/>{{pn|date=October 2017}}
}}
The climate of Sandur is typical for a low-lying coastal location in the south of the Faroe Islands, as the weather station for Sandur is located at 5 meters above sea level.<ref name=DMI /> On average, Sandur experiences 41 days of frost a year.<ref name=DMI />


== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[List of islands of the Faroe Islands]]
* [[List of islands of the Faroe Islands]]
* [[Maps of the Faroe Islands]]
* [[List of mountains of the Faroe Islands]]
* [[List of mountains of the Faroe Islands]]
* [[Geology of the Faroe Islands]]
* [[Geology of the Faroe Islands]]
* [[Extreme points of the Faroe Islands]]
* [[Extreme points of the Faroe Islands]]
*[[Fjords in the Faroe Islands]]


==Further reading==
==Further reading==
{{refbegin}}
<div class="references-small">
* Ostenfeld, C. H., and Eugenius Warming. ''Geography, Geology and Climate of the Faeröes, With the Historical Notes on the Botanical Investigation of These Islands''. Copenhagen: H.H. Thiele, 1901.
* Ostenfeld, C. H., and Eugenius Warming. ''Geography, Geology and Climate of the Faeröes, With the Historical Notes on the Botanical Investigation of These Islands''. Copenhagen: H.H. Thiele, 1901.
* Peacock, Martin A. ''Recent Lines of Fracture in the Færoes in Relation to the Theories of Fiord Formation in Northern Basaltic Plateaux''. Glasgow: Jackson, Wylie, 1928.
* Peacock, Martin A. ''Recent Lines of Fracture in the Færoes in Relation to the Theories of Fiord Formation in Northern Basaltic Plateaux''. Glasgow: Jackson, Wylie, 1928.
{{refend}}
</div>


== References ==
== References ==
Line 64: Line 868:


[[Category:Geography of the Faroe Islands| ]]
[[Category:Geography of the Faroe Islands| ]]

[[da:Færøernes geografi]]
[[de:Geologie und Geographie der Färöer]]
[[es:Geografía de las Islas Feroe]]
[[fo:Føroysk landafrøði]]
[[fr:Géographie des îles Féroé]]
[[is:Landafræði Færeyja]]
[[hu:Feröer földrajza]]
[[ka:ფარერის კუნძულების გეოგრაფია]]
[[no:Færøyenes geografi]]
[[pl:Geografia Wysp Owczych]]
[[ru:География Фарерских островов]]

Revision as of 05:00, 1 March 2024

Satellite image of the Faroe Islands

The Faroe Islands are an island group consisting of eighteen islands between the Norwegian Sea and the North Atlantic, about half-way between Iceland and Norway. Its coordinates are 62°N 7°W / 62°N 7°W / 62; -7. It is 1,393 square kilometres in area, and includes small lakes and rivers, but no major ones. There are 1,117 kilometres of coastline, and no land boundaries with any other country.

The Faroe Islands generally have cool summers and cool to cold winters, with a usually overcast sky and frequent fog and strong winds. Although at a high latitude, due to the Gulf Stream their climate is ameliorated. The islands are rugged and rocky with some low peaks; the coasts are mostly bordered by cliffs. The Faroe Islands are notable for having the highest sea cliffs in Europe, and some of the highest in the world otherwise. The lowest point is at sea level, and the highest is at Slættaratindur, which is 882 metres above sea level. The landscape made roadbuilding difficult, and only recently has this been remedied by building tunnels.

View of the west coast of Suðuroy
Detailed map of the Faroe Islands

Many of the Faroese islands tend to be elongated in shape. Natural resources include fish and hydropower.

Statistics

Map including the Faroe Islands
Geographic coordinates
Area
  • Land: 1,393 km² [1]
  • Water: 7.19 km² (the area includes 10 of the largest lakes. There are a number of smaller lakes and streams.)[2]
Land boundaries
0 km
Coastline
1,117 km
Maritime claims
  • Territorial sea: 3 nmi (5.6 km; 3.5 mi)
  • Continental shelf: 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi) or agreed boundaries or median line
  • Exclusive economic zone: 200 nmi (370.4 km; 230.2 mi) or agreed boundaries or median line
Climate
Subarctic oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfc) moderated by North Atlantic Current; long, mild, windy winters; short, cool summers, damp in the South and West. Arctic climate (Köppen ET) in some mountains.
Terrain
Rugged, rocky, some low peaks; cliffs along most of coast. The coasts are deeply indented with fjords, and the narrow passages between islands are agitated by strong tidal currents. Multiple sea stacks exist along the coast.
Elevation extremes
Natural resources
Fish, whales, hydropower, wind, possible petroleum and natural gas
Land use
  • Arable land: 2.14%
  • Permanent crops: 0%
  • Other: 97.86% (2012)
Environment—international agreements
Marine dumping

Climate

The climate is classed as subpolar oceanic climate (Köppen climate classification Cfc), with areas having a tundra climate, especially in the mountains, although some coastal or low-lying areas may have very mild-winter versions of a tundra climate. The overall character of the climate of the islands is influenced by the strong warming influence of the Atlantic Ocean, which produces the North Atlantic Current. This, together with the remoteness of any source of landmass-induced warm or cold airflows, ensures that winters are mild (mean temperature 3.0 to 4.0 °C or 37 to 39 °F) while summers are cool (mean temperature 9.5 to 10.5 °C or 49 to 51 °F).

The islands are windy, cloudy and cool throughout the year with an average of 210 rainy or snowy days per year. The islands lie in the path of depressions moving northeast, making strong winds and heavy rain possible at all times of the year. Sunny days are rare and overcast days are common. Hurricane Faith struck the Faroe Islands on 5 September 1966 with sustained winds over 100 mph (160 km/h) and only then did the storm cease to be a tropical system.[3]

An October evening on Eysturoy

Due to the altitude, ocean currents, topography, and winds, the islands exhibit a variety of microclimates. Precipitation varies considerably throughout the archipelago. In some highland areas, snow cover may last for months with snowfalls possible for the greater part of the year (on the highest peaks, summer snowfall is by no means rare), while in some sheltered coastal locations, several years pass without any snowfall whatsoever.

Climate data for Tórshavn (1991–2020, extremes 1961–2021)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 11.6
(52.9) 		13.0
(55.4) 		12.3
(54.1) 		18.3
(64.9) 		19.7
(67.5) 		20.0
(68.0) 		20.2
(68.4) 		22.0
(71.6) 		19.5
(67.1) 		16.3
(61.3) 		14.7
(58.5) 		13.2
(55.8) 		22.0
(71.6)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6.2
(43.2) 		6.0
(42.8) 		6.4
(43.5) 		7.6
(45.7) 		9.3
(48.7) 		11.3
(52.3) 		12.9
(55.2) 		13.3
(55.9) 		11.9
(53.4) 		9.6
(49.3) 		7.6
(45.7) 		6.5
(43.7) 		9.0
(48.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.3
(39.7) 		4.0
(39.2) 		4.3
(39.7) 		5.4
(41.7) 		7.1
(44.8) 		9.1
(48.4) 		10.7
(51.3) 		11.1
(52.0) 		10.0
(50.0) 		7.8
(46.0) 		5.8
(42.4) 		4.5
(40.1) 		7.0
(44.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.1
(35.8) 		1.6
(34.9) 		2.1
(35.8) 		3.2
(37.8) 		5.0
(41.0) 		7.3
(45.1) 		9.1
(48.4) 		9.3
(48.7) 		8.1
(46.6) 		5.7
(42.3) 		3.6
(38.5) 		2.2
(36.0) 		4.9
(40.8)
Record low °C (°F) −8.8
(16.2) 		−11.0
(12.2) 		−9.2
(15.4) 		−9.9
(14.2) 		−3.0
(26.6) 		0.0
(32.0) 		1.5
(34.7) 		1.5
(34.7) 		−0.6
(30.9) 		−4.5
(23.9) 		−7.2
(19.0) 		−10.5
(13.1) 		−11.0
(12.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 164.5
(6.48) 		128.1
(5.04) 		127.8
(5.03) 		91.2
(3.59) 		68.4
(2.69) 		62.3
(2.45) 		70.1
(2.76) 		91.8
(3.61) 		116.3
(4.58) 		145.0
(5.71) 		151.8
(5.98) 		154.4
(6.08) 		1,359.5
(53.52)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.1 mm) 26 23 26 22 19 18 19 20 23 26 26 27 273
Average snowy days 8.3 6.6 8.0 4.4 1.5 0.0 0.0 0.0 0.1 1.4 5.5 8.2 44.0
Average relative humidity (%) 89 88 88 87 87 88 89 90 89 89 88 89 88
Mean monthly sunshine hours 14.5 36.7 72.8 108.6 137.8 128.6 103.6 100.9 82.7 53.4 21.1 7.8 868.2
Source: Danish Meteorological Institute (humidity 1961–1990, precipitation days 1961–1990, snowy days 1961–1990),[4][5] infoclimat.fr[6] (record high)

Tórshavn receives frosts more often than other areas just a short distance to the south. Snow is also seen at a much higher frequency than outlying islands nearby. The area receives on average 49 frosts a year.[7]

Climate data for Mykines, 105 m.a.s.l.
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 9.0
(48.2) 		9.5
(49.1) 		10.0
(50.0) 		12.5
(54.5) 		13.0
(55.4) 		15.0
(59.0) 		16.0
(60.8) 		16.0
(60.8) 		14.0
(57.2) 		11.5
(52.7) 		10.6
(51.1) 		9.5
(49.1) 		16.0
(60.8)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 5.1
(41.2) 		5.1
(41.2) 		5.2
(41.4) 		6.6
(43.9) 		8.0
(46.4) 		10.2
(50.4) 		10.9
(51.6) 		11.3
(52.3) 		10.2
(50.4) 		8.8
(47.8) 		6.0
(42.8) 		4.9
(40.8) 		7.7
(45.9)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.5
(38.3) 		3.5
(38.3) 		3.5
(38.3) 		4.8
(40.6) 		6.2
(43.2) 		8.5
(47.3) 		9.2
(48.6) 		9.6
(49.3) 		8.7
(47.7) 		7.4
(45.3) 		4.6
(40.3) 		3.3
(37.9) 		6.1
(43.0)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.7
(35.1) 		1.5
(34.7) 		1.5
(34.7) 		3.0
(37.4) 		4.7
(40.5) 		7.1
(44.8) 		7.8
(46.0) 		8.2
(46.8) 		7.3
(45.1) 		5.7
(42.3) 		2.7
(36.9) 		1.5
(34.7) 		4.4
(39.9)
Record low °C (°F) −7.0
(19.4) 		−11.0
(12.2) 		−8.0
(17.6) 		−10.0
(14.0) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		1.0
(33.8) 		4.1
(39.4) 		4.2
(39.6) 		0.4
(32.7) 		−5.0
(23.0) 		−7.0
(19.4) 		−7.0
(19.4) 		−11.0
(12.2)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 77
(3.0) 		56
(2.2) 		88
(3.5) 		53
(2.1) 		31
(1.2) 		49
(1.9) 		47
(1.9) 		61
(2.4) 		96
(3.8) 		95
(3.7) 		80
(3.1) 		90
(3.5) 		823
(32.4)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 17 12 18 13 9.2 12 12 11 15 18 16 19 171
Average relative humidity (%) 82 81 83 83 84 87 86 87 85 84 81 80 84
Source: Danish Meteorological Institute[8][page needed]

While receiving more frost than most of the Faroe Islands, Mykines is more temperate in the winter than nearby Vágar. Snow is also less common despite the relatively lower winter temperatures due to the relatively low precipitation in the area. It also has a very mild tundra climate bordering on subpolar oceanic. Frost occurs on 46 days in an average year[8] It is also likely that the lower areas of the island experience less than this, as the weather station is located at 105 meters above sea level.[8]

Climate data for Akraberg, Suðuroy, 101 m.a.s.l.
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 9.6
(49.3) 		8.8
(47.8) 		9.2
(48.6) 		13.0
(55.4) 		15.2
(59.4) 		17.2
(63.0) 		17.6
(63.7) 		18.4
(65.1) 		17.2
(63.0) 		11.8
(53.2) 		10.8
(51.4) 		9.8
(49.6) 		18.4
(65.1)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 5.4
(41.7) 		5.4
(41.7) 		5.5
(41.9) 		6.5
(43.7) 		8.1
(46.6) 		9.9
(49.8) 		11.1
(52.0) 		11.4
(52.5) 		10.2
(50.4) 		8.8
(47.8) 		6.6
(43.9) 		5.8
(42.4) 		7.9
(46.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.8
(38.8) 		3.9
(39.0) 		4.0
(39.2) 		4.8
(40.6) 		6.6
(43.9) 		8.4
(47.1) 		9.6
(49.3) 		10.0
(50.0) 		8.9
(48.0) 		7.5
(45.5) 		5.1
(41.2) 		4.2
(39.6) 		6.4
(43.5)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.9
(35.4) 		2.0
(35.6) 		2.0
(35.6) 		2.9
(37.2) 		5.0
(41.0) 		6.9
(44.4) 		8.1
(46.6) 		8.5
(47.3) 		7.2
(45.0) 		5.8
(42.4) 		3.2
(37.8) 		2.2
(36.0) 		4.6
(40.3)
Record low °C (°F) −7.2
(19.0) 		−10.6
(12.9) 		−7.0
(19.4) 		−9.3
(15.3) 		−4.0
(24.8) 		0.0
(32.0) 		2.0
(35.6) 		3.0
(37.4) 		0.0
(32.0) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		−5.6
(21.9) 		−8.4
(16.9) 		−10.6
(12.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 90
(3.5) 		60
(2.4) 		77
(3.0) 		48
(1.9) 		43
(1.7) 		51
(2.0) 		65
(2.6) 		65
(2.6) 		94
(3.7) 		108
(4.3) 		90
(3.5) 		95
(3.7) 		884
(34.8)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 18 13 17 12 10 11 12 12 16 18 17 19 173
Average relative humidity (%) 85 85 85 85 88 89 91 91 89 87 84 84 87
Source: Danish Meteorological Institute[9]

Akraberg is milder than much of the Faroe Islands and experiences frost on 38 days in an average year,[9] possibly less in lower areas, as the weather station is located at an elevation of 101 meters above sea level.[9]

Climate data for Vágar Airport, Vágar, 84 m.a.s.l.
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 10.3
(50.5) 		9.5
(49.1) 		12.5
(54.5) 		14.8
(58.6) 		20.8
(69.4) 		21.6
(70.9) 		24.0
(75.2) 		23.5
(74.3) 		20.5
(68.9) 		14.0
(57.2) 		12.0
(53.6) 		12.2
(54.0) 		24.0
(75.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 4.8
(40.6) 		4.8
(40.6) 		5.2
(41.4) 		6.4
(43.5) 		8.8
(47.8) 		10.8
(51.4) 		12.1
(53.8) 		12.3
(54.1) 		10.4
(50.7) 		8.6
(47.5) 		6.1
(43.0) 		5.3
(41.5) 		8.0
(46.4)
Daily mean °C (°F) 2.7
(36.9) 		2.7
(36.9) 		3.1
(37.6) 		4.3
(39.7) 		6.6
(43.9) 		8.7
(47.7) 		10.2
(50.4) 		10.4
(50.7) 		8.6
(47.5) 		6.8
(44.2) 		4.2
(39.6) 		3.3
(37.9) 		6.0
(42.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 0.5
(32.9) 		0.6
(33.1) 		0.9
(33.6) 		2.1
(35.8) 		4.4
(39.9) 		6.6
(43.9) 		8.3
(46.9) 		8.5
(47.3) 		6.7
(44.1) 		4.8
(40.6) 		2.1
(35.8) 		1.1
(34.0) 		3.9
(39.0)
Record low °C (°F) −10.0
(14.0) 		−11.7
(10.9) 		−10.6
(12.9) 		−9.9
(14.2) 		−5.0
(23.0) 		−0.3
(31.5) 		1.4
(34.5) 		1.0
(33.8) 		−2.5
(27.5) 		−6.4
(20.5) 		−10.0
(14.0) 		−10.9
(12.4) 		−11.7
(10.9)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 163
(6.4) 		122
(4.8) 		141
(5.6) 		120
(4.7) 		83
(3.3) 		81
(3.2) 		115
(4.5) 		133
(5.2) 		151
(5.9) 		164
(6.5) 		140
(5.5) 		142
(5.6) 		1,555
(61.2)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 23 19 21 18 13 11 15 18 19 20 18 20 215
Source: Danish Meteorological Institute[8][page needed]

Vágar has colder and snowier winters than most other places in the archipelago. Lower temperatures combined with higher precipitation are responsible for this, and measurable snow cover can be seen- a rarity in the Faroe Islands, in which snow cover (in areas which regularly experience it) is usually limited to a thin coating. The airport, at which data is recorded, is also located at a higher altitude on the island (84 meters above sea level[8]), which might result in lower temperatures and higher precipitation than lower-lying areas on the island. Frost occurs on average on 62 days of the year,[8] the most out of all stations included in the records of the Danish Meteorological Institute.

Climate data for Kirkja, Fugloy, 53 m.a.s.l.
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 13.4
(56.1) 		12.0
(53.6) 		13.0
(55.4) 		14.9
(58.8) 		19.8
(67.6) 		20.0
(68.0) 		21.3
(70.3) 		20.8
(69.4) 		20.6
(69.1) 		18.8
(65.8) 		13.0
(55.4) 		14.5
(58.1) 		21.3
(70.3)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 6.7
(44.1) 		5.8
(42.4) 		6.5
(43.7) 		7.2
(45.0) 		9.2
(48.6) 		11.2
(52.2) 		12.8
(55.0) 		13.4
(56.1) 		11.8
(53.2) 		9.5
(49.1) 		7.5
(45.5) 		6.6
(43.9) 		9.0
(48.2)
Daily mean °C (°F) 4.6
(40.3) 		3.7
(38.7) 		4.3
(39.7) 		5.2
(41.4) 		7.0
(44.6) 		9.0
(48.2) 		10.6
(51.1) 		11.2
(52.2) 		9.7
(49.5) 		7.5
(45.5) 		5.8
(42.4) 		4.4
(39.9) 		6.9
(44.4)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 2.4
(36.3) 		1.5
(34.7) 		1.8
(35.2) 		2.9
(37.2) 		4.9
(40.8) 		7.0
(44.6) 		8.8
(47.8) 		9.3
(48.7) 		7.7
(45.9) 		5.5
(41.9) 		3.8
(38.8) 		2.2
(36.0) 		4.8
(40.6)
Record low °C (°F) −6.2
(20.8) 		−5.5
(22.1) 		−9.1
(15.6) 		−4.2
(24.4) 		−2.4
(27.7) 		1.5
(34.7) 		4.1
(39.4) 		4.9
(40.8) 		0.9
(33.6) 		−2.0
(28.4) 		−3.2
(26.2) 		−6.2
(20.8) 		−9.1
(15.6)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 94
(3.7) 		87
(3.4) 		94
(3.7) 		84
(3.3) 		67
(2.6) 		66
(2.6) 		80
(3.1) 		83
(3.3) 		85
(3.3) 		111
(4.4) 		97
(3.8) 		93
(3.7) 		1,040
(40.9)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 18 17 18 12 13 9.8 9.7 13 15 17 18 15 175
Source: Danish Meteorological Institute[8][page needed]

Kirkja has a very mild climate, similar to Akraberg. It has the lowest frequency of frosts out of all weather stations included in the records by the Danish Meteorological Institute, with 36 days of frost in an average year.[8] Snowfall is uncommon, due to mild temperatures and relatively low precipitation. The weather station is somewhat high at 53 meters above sea level,[8] which could possibly affect the data, but not as much as the previous stations.

Climate data for Nólsoy, 80 m.a.s.l.
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 12.1
(53.8) 		10.6
(51.1) 		10.8
(51.4) 		13.3
(55.9) 		18.2
(64.8) 		18.6
(65.5) 		18.0
(64.4) 		17.8
(64.0) 		17.2
(63.0) 		14.0
(57.2) 		12.2
(54.0) 		11.5
(52.7) 		18.6
(65.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 5.2
(41.4) 		5.5
(41.9) 		5.8
(42.4) 		6.8
(44.2) 		8.8
(47.8) 		10.6
(51.1) 		11.9
(53.4) 		12.2
(54.0) 		10.6
(51.1) 		8.9
(48.0) 		6.8
(44.2) 		5.9
(42.6) 		8.2
(46.8)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.5
(38.3) 		3.8
(38.8) 		3.9
(39.0) 		4.7
(40.5) 		6.7
(44.1) 		8.5
(47.3) 		9.9
(49.8) 		10.2
(50.4) 		8.8
(47.8) 		7.3
(45.1) 		5.0
(41.0) 		4.0
(39.2) 		6.3
(43.3)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.2
(34.2) 		1.6
(34.9) 		1.6
(34.9) 		2.5
(36.5) 		4.8
(40.6) 		6.6
(43.9) 		8.2
(46.8) 		8.4
(47.1) 		6.8
(44.2) 		5.2
(41.4) 		2.8
(37.0) 		1.6
(34.9) 		4.3
(39.7)
Record low °C (°F) −7.6
(18.3) 		−6.8
(19.8) 		−8.4
(16.9) 		−6.6
(20.1) 		−2.6
(27.3) 		0.4
(32.7) 		2.7
(36.9) 		2.4
(36.3) 		1.0
(33.8) 		−4.0
(24.8) 		−7.2
(19.0) 		−9.2
(15.4) 		−9.2
(15.4)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 99
(3.9) 		72
(2.8) 		92
(3.6) 		59
(2.3) 		56
(2.2) 		54
(2.1) 		60
(2.4) 		66
(2.6) 		107
(4.2) 		126
(5.0) 		107
(4.2) 		109
(4.3) 		1,006
(39.6)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 19 15 18 13 12 11 12 13 18 20 19 20 189
Source: Danish Meteorological Institute[8][page needed]

Nólsoy experiences a climate that is quite typical of the surrounding area and the Faroe Islands in general, and is similar to nearby Tórshavn. There are on average 44 days of frost a year.[8] Also, as in the case of previous weather stations, the location is higher on its respective island, and the climate of the lower areas of the island differs slightly.

Climate data for Sandur, Sandoy, 5 m.a.s.l.
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 11.1
(52.0) 		13.2
(55.8) 		12.2
(54.0) 		13.2
(55.8) 		18.9
(66.0) 		19.0
(66.2) 		21.4
(70.5) 		19.8
(67.6) 		15.4
(59.7) 		14.8
(58.6) 		12.4
(54.3) 		12.4
(54.3) 		21.4
(70.5)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 5.7
(42.3) 		5.9
(42.6) 		6.3
(43.3) 		7.5
(45.5) 		9.8
(49.6) 		11.8
(53.2) 		13.0
(55.4) 		13.2
(55.8) 		11.3
(52.3) 		9.5
(49.1) 		7.1
(44.8) 		6.1
(43.0) 		8.9
(48.0)
Daily mean °C (°F) 3.9
(39.0) 		4.1
(39.4) 		4.3
(39.7) 		5.5
(41.9) 		7.7
(45.9) 		9.6
(49.3) 		11.0
(51.8) 		11.2
(52.2) 		9.5
(49.1) 		7.8
(46.0) 		5.4
(41.7) 		4.2
(39.6) 		7.0
(44.6)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 1.6
(34.9) 		1.9
(35.4) 		2.1
(35.8) 		3.2
(37.8) 		5.4
(41.7) 		7.5
(45.5) 		9.1
(48.4) 		9.4
(48.9) 		7.5
(45.5) 		5.8
(42.4) 		3.2
(37.8) 		1.9
(35.4) 		4.9
(40.8)
Record low °C (°F) −7.8
(18.0) 		−6.0
(21.2) 		−7.9
(17.8) 		−5.1
(22.8) 		−2.4
(27.7) 		0.7
(33.3) 		4.4
(39.9) 		3.1
(37.6) 		0.8
(33.4) 		−2.3
(27.9) 		−6.1
(21.0) 		−9.3
(15.3) 		−9.3
(15.3)
Average precipitation mm (inches) 133
(5.2) 		89
(3.5) 		110
(4.3) 		69
(2.7) 		64
(2.5) 		58
(2.3) 		71
(2.8) 		78
(3.1) 		118
(4.6) 		146
(5.7) 		125
(4.9) 		131
(5.2) 		1,193
(47.0)
Average precipitation days (≥ 1.0 mm) 19 15 18 13 11 11 12 11 16 19 17 19 179
Source: Danish Meteorological Institute[8][page needed]

The climate of Sandur is typical for a low-lying coastal location in the south of the Faroe Islands, as the weather station for Sandur is located at 5 meters above sea level.[8] On average, Sandur experiences 41 days of frost a year.[8]

See also

Further reading

  • Ostenfeld, C. H., and Eugenius Warming. Geography, Geology and Climate of the Faeröes, With the Historical Notes on the Botanical Investigation of These Islands. Copenhagen: H.H. Thiele, 1901.
  • Peacock, Martin A. Recent Lines of Fracture in the Færoes in Relation to the Theories of Fiord Formation in Northern Basaltic Plateaux. Glasgow: Jackson, Wylie, 1928.

References

  1. ^ Statistical Facts
  2. ^ US.fo Archived 2011-07-20 at the Wayback Machine
  3. ^ GHCN Climate data, Thorshavn series 1881 to 2007
  4. ^ "Monthly means and extremes 1961–1990 and 1981–2010 for air temperature, atmospheric pressure, hours of bright sunshine and precipitation–Denmark, The Faroe Islands and Greenland" (PDF). Danish Meteorological Institute. January 2011. pp. 16–19. Retrieved 18 January 2015.
  5. ^ "Klimanormaler for Færøerne". Danish Meteorological Institute (in Danish). Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  6. ^ "Normales et records pour la période 1991-2020 à Thorshavn". Retrieved 2021-11-25.
  7. ^ "Monthly means and extremes 1961–1990 and 1981–2010 for air temperature, atmospheric pressure, hours of bright sunshine and precipitation–Denmark, The Faroe Islands and Greenland" (PDF). Danish Meteorological Institute. pp. 16–19. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n "The Climate of The Faroe Islands - with Climatological Standard Normals, 1961-1990 Greenland" (PDF). Danish Meteorological Institute. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  9. ^ a b c "The Climate of The Faroe Islands - with Climatological Standard Normals, 1961-1990 Greenland" (PDF). Danish Meteorological Institute. Retrieved August 19, 2015.
  • "Faroe Islands" World Fact Book 2004, CIA, Washington.
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