A third of this northern European state is located above the Arctic Circle. The amount of sunshine varies greatly depending on the season. In the northern part of the country there is a period of dark time - the polar night, which the Finns call "kaamos". Even the capital of the state of Helsinki during the Christmas holidays is illuminated by the sun for no more than six hours. The climate in Finland is unusual. It combines warm summers and frosty snowy winters, short clear springs and colorful autumn.
Climatic zones of the country
Finland is located relatively close to the Arctic Ocean. Because of this proximity, the northern territories of the country are under the influence of the subarctic climate zone.
The Scandinavian mountains that cut through Sweden and Norway protect Finland from precipitation and storms that form over the Atlantic.
Under the influence of northern winds, cold air masses regularly enter the country even in summer, and in winter they bring cold and frosty weather.
The climate is marked by variability of weather conditions. The sun caressing with warmth can be abruptly replaced by bad weather pouring down with pouring rain. This is due to the year-round action of cyclones that come from the southwest and south in winter and from the southeast in summer.
The temperate climate zone in Finland prevails over most of the territory, but in some places it turns into a maritime one.
Getting to know the country often starts from Vantaa, where its main air port is located. Moderately cold weather conditions of this city also include a large amount of precipitation, which is important for tourists arriving here to know. Check the weather information before traveling.
About the delights of the Finnish winter
In the largest northern province of Suomi - Lapland - from December to mid-January, the polar night reigns. At this time, you can see the blazing of the northern lights here. Until midwinter, weather conditions are similar across most of the Finnish territory: 5-hour short days with temperatures ranging from –5 to 0 ° C and low humidity.
Throughout the country, you can admire the unusually beautiful twilight for 1.5 hours before dusk and dawn. But January temperatures can go down to -20 ° C.
Central and Northern Lapland get snow cover from the second half of October, and Oulu county - by November. In this part of the country, snow lasts the longest, almost until June.
The coast and southwest of Finland are covered with a snow blanket in December. At the same time, the shortest season with snow is recorded in the Turku archipelago and the Aland Islands - by March everything will have melted there.
February frosts down to -15 ° C are considered the most severe, but there is no feeling of cold, since the climate is dry and comfortable.
What is the climate in Finland in winter can be judged by the average monthly temperatures:
| Month / city | Helsinki | Rovaniemi | Turku | Tampere | Imatra |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | 0 | -6 | 0 | -1 | -1 |
| January | -3 | -9 | -2 | -4 | -5 |
| February | -3 | -8 | -2 | -5 | -6 |
Spring in Finland
With the arrival of spring, the weather becomes somewhat milder: the air temperature rises to +3 ° С in the south and -1 ° С in the north of the country. April temperatures in the central and southern regions can reach + 10 ° С.
Air humidity increases. But, despite the cloudy weather, there are no sharp temperature fluctuations throughout the month, which is also typical for nighttime indicators.
The best time for a trip will be spring, when climatic conditions in Finland provide a favorable rest: daylight hours are lengthening, but a sufficient level of snow cover remains. The southern part of the country is visited from mid-February to March, and it is better to go north in March-April.
In the spring, vacationers are offered many excursion tours. But, despite the clear spring weather, winter in this country can return even in May, and the south of Finland is no exception. Therefore, it is not worth planning multi-day hikes, but you can enjoy ATV safaris and sightseeing.
The following table will help you assess life in the Finnish climate in spring:
| Month / city | Rovaniemi | Turku | Helsinki | Imatra | Tampere |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| March | -3 | 0 | 0 | -3 | -2 |
| April | +2 | +7 | +6 | +5 | +5 |
| May | +10 | +14 | +13 | +13 | +15 |
About warm Finnish summer
Summer in the country of Suomi is often cool. If the night temperature was not very comfortable, then it quickly rises during the day. From mid-July to August, daily rates fluctuate between + 20-23 ° C.
Sometimes the climate in Finland in summer is affected by southern cyclones with warm air from the tropics, bringing temperatures up to + 30 ° C during the day and torrential rains with thunderstorms. But more often the influence of air masses from the Arctic Ocean is felt, which entails partly cloudy, + 18 ° С on the thermometer in the center and in the south of the country, + 10-15 ° С in the north.
The sunniest weather occurs off the coast of the archipelago. Ultraviolet baths can be taken for 10 hours.
The warmest month is July and August is the wettest. Of the summer features of Finland, the "white nights" are famous, the severity of which is more pronounced in the northern part of the country.
Summer is the time to travel to Tampere - a large historical and educational center, which is also ready to offer guests all kinds of entertainment.
The average temperature indicators of the air will tell you about the climate in Finland in summer:
| Month / city | Imatra | Helsinki | Tampere | Turku | Rovaniemi |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| June | +16 | +18 | +16 | +18 | +16 |
| July | +20 | +21 | +22 | +22 | +19 |
| August | +19 | +20 | +19 | +20 | +17 |
Short autumn
The onset of autumn does not deprive Finns of sunny days, but it brings a gradual decrease in air temperature to 7 degrees Celsius. In Lapland, the change of season begins already in the second half of August, when the first nights with frost are celebrated. From here, the golden autumn begins its colorful march to the south of the country.
In mid-September, summer temperatures can persist on the coast and in southern areas, and the first snow falls in northern Finland.
In October, there may be frosty nights all over the country, cold morning hours with short precipitation in the form of snow. November weather sometimes brings stormy winds and rains that occur over the Atlantic.
On average, such weather conditions are observed up to 4 days a month, while snow begins, smoothly turning into rain for a whole day.
Climate in Finland by months of the autumn season:
| Month / city | Tampere | Imatra | Rovaniemi | Helsinki | Turku |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| September | +14 | +13 | +10 | +15 | +15 |
| October | +6 | +6 | +3 | +8 | +8 |
| November | +2 | +2 | -2 | +2 | +3 |
Briefly about the tourist seasons
After many months of work, you can have a great vacation in Finland any time of the year.
- During the winter months, tourists are attracted by the Lapland Christmas fairytale with visits to the village of Santa Claus, reindeer, dog sledding and ice fishing. In addition, ski resorts await winter sports enthusiasts. The most popular ones are in the territory of Koli Park and near the city of Rovaniemi.
- At the end of spring, you can safely go on ecological tours that differ in directions: fishing, hunting, rafting. Many are attracted by cycling and horseback riding through the magnificent natural landscapes.
- The summer months are rich in various holidays and festivals. This is the best time to visit the spa resorts. Not only beach fun, but also fishing are the hits of summer holidays. On the shores of reservoirs, everything is organized for this: many hotels and campgrounds, rental of gear, boats, boats.
- In autumn, there are often all kinds of fairs and gastronomic events dedicated to the harvest.
How to choose the right clothes
When packing a suitcase on the road, you need to understand how you plan to spend your time and where you will go.Here we will only talk about a tourist trip, since there are other peculiarities in moving to Finland for work.
In summer, it will be enough to bring a windbreaker and jeans in case of cool weather. You may need a sweater for your child. If you are going to swim on the beach or visit the water park, then it is important to bring swimwear, slippers and towels. Sunglasses and hats will not be superfluous. By the way, the latter are also useful for outdoor walks in May-June, as they will protect you from ticks.
During the spring and autumn seasons, sweaters, trousers and jackets will help you to spend your time comfortably while traveling. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes if your trip involves walking. Children need to bring a change of footwear in case of rainy weather. You will of course need umbrellas / raincoats and cameras / cameras / selfie sticks.
You can't do without warm clothes in winter. But what exactly you need to take depends on the region of the country where you plan to go: Lapland is characterized by lower temperatures for all seasons.
How to make your trip fun
For those who are not lazy and aim at active recreation, we can advise you to settle in the capital of the country - Helsinki. It is convenient to travel around the southern region from here. The city itself is rich in sights and places for entertainment, so you will not be bored.
Going even on a bus tour of the cities, do not forget to check the weather forecast so that there are no unpleasant surprises in the form of precipitation. And if you have a multi-day trip, it is important to properly collect your things and essentials. This is especially true for families with small children.
