Winter
Dec → Feb0°
nights -5 to -4°
- 14 rainy days · 72 mm
- 2.1 h of sun
When is the best time to visit Finland?
In short: June to August for summer, its 20 °C and its nights that barely fall; December to March for the snow and the northern lights of Lapland. February and March bring together the best of the Finnish winter: ideal skiing conditions, northern lights at their peak and lengthening days.
- Northern lights: From September to March in Lapland, peaking in January and February.
- Skiing, husky sledding, snowmobiling: From December to March in Lapland, and into April for spring skiing; February and March offer the best conditions.
- Midnight sun: In June and July: north of the Arctic Circle, the sun does not set.
- Autumn colours (ruska): From late August to early October in Lapland, and in September and October in the rest of the country.
- Helsinki and the Lakeland: From June to August: 20 to 21 °C in the afternoon in Helsinki, and 18 hours 52 minutes of daylight in mid-June.
Best avoided: November: the polar night sets in up north, the ski resorts are barely open, and Helsinki peaks at 5 °C with 2 hours of sunshine a day.
Sources: visitfinland.com
- Jan0°recommended
- Feb0°recommended
- Mar2°recommended
- Apr7°fair
- May13°fair
- Jun20°recommended
- Jul21°recommended
- Aug20°recommended
- Sep16°fair
- Oct10°fair
- Nov5°not recommended
- Dec0°recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Finland, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0° | -5° | 1.4 h | 76 mm | 16 d | ✓ |
| February | 0° | -5° | 3.6 h | 71 mm | 12 d | ✓ |
| March | 2° | -4° | 6.6 h | 49 mm | 10 d | ✓ |
| April | 7° | 0° | 9.9 h | 46 mm | 10 d | |
| May | 13° | 6° | 13 h | 51 mm | 9 d | |
| June | 20° | 12° | 14.7 h | 50 mm | 9 d | ✓ |
| July | 21° | 14° | 13.3 h | 80 mm | 14 d | ✓ |
| August | 20° | 14° | 11.2 h | 97 mm | 14 d | ✓ |
| September | 16° | 10° | 8.2 h | 70 mm | 10 d | |
| October | 10° | 6° | 4.8 h | 86 mm | 14 d | |
| November | 5° | 1° | 2 h | 78 mm | 14 d | |
| December | 0° | -4° | 1.3 h | 70 mm | 14 d | ✓ |
The four seasons in Finland, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Helsinki) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Spring
Mar → May2 to 13°
nights -4 to 6°
- 10 rainy days · 49 mm
- 9.8 h of sun
Summer
Jun → Aug20 to 21°
nights 12 to 14°
- 12 rainy days · 76 mm
- 13.1 h of sun
Autumn
Sep → Nov5 to 16°
nights 1 to 10°
- 13 rainy days · 78 mm
- 5 h of sun
Book early for December to March and June to August
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
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Daylight in Finland, month by month
The time between sunrise and sunset, from shortest to longest. Not to be confused with the sunshine hours in the table above, which count clear skies. In June there are 18h52 of daylight, in December 5h51, a difference of 13h01.
6h37Jan
9hFeb
11h34Mar
14h29Apr
17h09May
18h52Jun
18h08Jul
15h38Aug
12h44Sep
9h57Oct
7h20Nov
5h51Dec
Calculated for the latitude of the reference point "Helsinki" (60.17°). Values on the 15th of each month, local solar time.
What to do in Finland, month by month
EventsNorthern lightsSeptember to MarchMidnight sunJune to JulyJuhannus (Midsummer)JuneSavonlinna Opera FestivalJulyDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
- Hiking: May, June
- Towns & culture: May, June, September
- Long days: April, May, June, July, August
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall), not from an opinion.
What's on in Finland, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. Exact dates change from year to year, so check them before you book.
- September to MarchNorthern lights
In Lapland, dark, clear nights bring auroras several evenings a week, from autumn to the end of winter.
- June to JulyMidnight sun
North of the Arctic Circle, the sun stops setting for several weeks around the June solstice.
- JuneJuhannus (Midsummer)
At the solstice, Finns leave the city for their cottages, light bonfires by the water and leave Helsinki empty.
- JulySavonlinna Opera Festival
Operas are staged in the courtyard of the medieval Olavinlinna Castle, set on the water, throughout July.
Travelling off-peak
When to visit Finland, region by region
A country's best time is an average, and it hides big differences. Here is what the records say for each area, month by month: ✓ for a recommended month, ~ for a fair one, a dot for a month to avoid. Hover over a cell for the temperature.
| Area | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🇫🇮 Helsinki | ~ | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ✓ |
| 🇫🇮 Finnish Lapland | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | ~ | ✓ |
| 🇫🇮 Rovaniemi | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | ~ | ✓ | ✓ | ~ | · | ~ | ✓ |
Month by month, in detail
January
Recommended0°-5° at night
- 76 mm · 16 d
- 1.4 h
Busy, without the crush
February
Recommended0°-5° at night
- 71 mm · 12 d
- 3.6 h
Busy, without the crush
March
Recommended2°-4° at night
- 49 mm · 10 d
- 6.6 h
Busy, without the crush
April
Fair7°0° at night
- 46 mm · 10 d
- 9.9 h
Low season, lower prices
May
Fair13°6° at night
- 51 mm · 9 d
- 13 h
Low season, lower prices
June
Recommended20°12° at night
- 50 mm · 9 d
- 14.7 h
Busy, without the crush
July
Recommended21°14° at night
- 80 mm · 14 d
- 13.3 h
High season, book early
August
Recommended20°14° at night
- 97 mm · 14 d
- 11.2 h
High season, book early
September
Fair16°10° at night
- 70 mm · 10 d
- 8.2 h
Low season, lower prices
October
Fair10°6° at night
- 86 mm · 14 d
- 4.8 h
Low season, lower prices
November
Not recommended5°1° at night
- 78 mm · 14 d
- 2 h
Low season, lower prices
December
Recommended0°-4° at night
- 70 mm · 14 d
- 1.3 h
Busy, without the crush
Read the twelve months in detail
January. Deep winter: 0 °C at the warmest of the day, -5 °C at night. Frequent but light showers: 76 mm over 16 days. Very little sun: 1.4 h a day on average. Busy season, without the crush.
February. Deep winter: 0 °C at the warmest of the day, -5 °C at night. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (71 mm). Sunshine gets scarcer (3.6 h a day). Busy season, without the crush.
March. Deep winter: 2 °C at the warmest of the day, -4 °C at night. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (49 mm). Expect 6.6 h of sunshine a day. Busy season, without the crush.
April. Deep winter: 7 °C at the warmest of the day, 0 °C at night. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (46 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 9.9 h a day on average. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
May. Cool: 13 °C at best, 6 °C at night. Expect 9 days of rain in the month (51 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 13 h a day on average. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
June. Mild, 20 °C in the afternoon and 12 °C early in the morning. Expect 9 days of rain in the month (50 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 14.7 h a day on average. Busy season, without the crush.
July. Mild, 21 °C in the afternoon and 14 °C early in the morning. Frequent rain: 80 mm over 14 days. Plenty of sunshine: 13.3 h a day on average. High season: book early.
August. Mild, 20 °C in the afternoon and 14 °C early in the morning. Frequent rain: 97 mm over 14 days. Plenty of sunshine: 11.2 h a day on average. High season: book early.
September. Cool: 16 °C at best, 10 °C at night. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (70 mm). Expect 8.2 h of sunshine a day. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
October. Cool: 10 °C at best, 6 °C at night. Frequent rain: 86 mm over 14 days. Sunshine gets scarcer (4.8 h a day). Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
November. Deep winter: 5 °C at the warmest of the day, 1 °C at night. A very wet month, 78 mm of rain over 14 days. Very little sun: 2 h a day on average. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
December. Deep winter: 0 °C at the warmest of the day, -4 °C at night. Frequent rain: 70 mm over 14 days. Very little sun: 1.3 h a day on average. Busy season, without the crush.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Finland?
June to August for summer, its 20 °C and its nights that barely fall; December to March for the snow and the northern lights of Lapland. February and March bring together the best of the Finnish winter: ideal skiing conditions, northern lights at their peak and lengthening days.
Which month should you avoid in Finland?
November: the polar night sets in up north, the ski resorts are barely open, and Helsinki peaks at 5 °C with 2 hours of sunshine a day.
What is the hottest month in Finland?
July, with 21 °C on average in the afternoon and 14 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Helsinki).
What is the coldest month in Finland?
January, with 0 °C at best during the day and -5 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Helsinki).
What is the driest month in Finland?
April: 46 mm over 10 days of rain, against 97 mm in August, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in Finland?
June, with 14.7 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
When is the best time to hike in Finland?
May, June: highs between 12 and 29 °C and no more than 9 days of rain a month according to 2015-2024 records (Helsinki), the safest windows for walking.
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable Finland guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
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