Winter
Dec → Feb-1 to 1°
nights -6 to -2°
- 13 rainy days · 66 mm
- sea 0°
When is the best time to visit Helsinki?
- Jan-1°fair
- Feb0°not recommended
- Mar2°not recommended
- Apr7°fair
- May14°recommended
- Jun19°recommended
- Jul21°recommended
- Aug20°recommended
- Sep15°recommended
- Oct9°fair
- Nov4°fair
- Dec1°recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Helsinki, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sea | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -1° | -6° | 68 mm | 14 d | 0° | |
| February | 0° | -5° | 63 mm | 12 d | 0° | |
| March | 2° | -4° | 45 mm | 11 d | 0° | |
| April | 7° | 0° | 45 mm | 10 d | 3° | |
| May | 14° | 6° | 48 mm | 9 d | 10° | ✓ |
| June | 19° | 12° | 56 mm | 10 d | 17° | ✓ |
| July | 21° | 14° | 80 mm | 13 d | 18° | ✓ |
| August | 20° | 14° | 83 mm | 13 d | 19° | ✓ |
| September | 15° | 10° | 70 mm | 11 d | 17° | ✓ |
| October | 9° | 5° | 80 mm | 13 d | 11° | |
| November | 4° | 1° | 78 mm | 14 d | 5° | |
| December | 1° | -2° | 66 mm | 14 d | 1° | ✓ |
The four seasons in Helsinki, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Senate Square and Kruununhaka) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Spring
Mar → May2 to 14°
nights -4 to 6°
- 10 rainy days · 46 mm
- sea 4°
Summer
Jun → Aug19 to 21°
nights 12 to 14°
- 12 rainy days · 73 mm
- sea 18°
Autumn
Sep → Nov4 to 15°
nights 1 to 10°
- 13 rainy days · 76 mm
- sea 11°
Book early for May to September and December
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.
Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. The selection does not depend on these links.
Daylight in Helsinki, 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 "Senate Square and Kruununhaka" (60.17°). Values on the 15th of each month, local solar time.
What to do in Helsinki, month by month
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beach & swimming | ||||||||||||
| Sightseeing & walks | ||||||||||||
| Long days | ||||||||||||
| Events | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
EventsVappuMayJuhannusJuneHelsinki FestivalAugust to SeptemberSenate Square Christmas MarketDecemberDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
- Sightseeing & walks: May, June, September
- Long days: April, May, June, July, August
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall, sea), not from an opinion.
What's on in Helsinki, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. Exact dates change from year to year, so check them before you book.
- MayVappu
On the first day of May, students crown the Havis Amanda statue with their white cap and the city picnics in Kaivopuisto.
- JuneJuhannus
At Midsummer, in late June, the city empties towards the lakes and the archipelago; many shops close for two days in a row.
- August to SeptemberHelsinki Festival
From late August to early September, concerts and performing arts are spread across the city's venues, parks and squares.
- DecemberSenate Square Christmas Market
In December, wooden huts line Senate Square for three weeks, with a carousel and a sauna set up on site.
Travelling off-peak
Month by month, in detail
January
Fair-1°-6° at night
- 68 mm · 14 d
- sea 0°
Low season, lower prices
February
Not recommended0°-5° at night
- 63 mm · 12 d
- sea 0°
Low season, lower prices
March
Not recommended2°-4° at night
- 45 mm · 11 d
- sea 0°
Low season, lower prices
April
Fair7°0° at night
- 45 mm · 10 d
- sea 3°
Low season, lower prices
May
Recommended14°6° at night
- 48 mm · 9 d
- sea 10°
Busy, without the crush
June
Recommended19°12° at night
- 56 mm · 10 d
- sea 17°
Busy, without the crush
July
Recommended21°14° at night
- 80 mm · 13 d
- sea 18°
High season, book early
August
Recommended20°14° at night
- 83 mm · 13 d
- sea 19°
High season, book early
September
Recommended15°10° at night
- 70 mm · 11 d
- sea 17°
Busy, without the crush
October
Fair9°5° at night
- 80 mm · 13 d
- sea 11°
Low season, lower prices
November
Fair4°1° at night
- 78 mm · 14 d
- sea 5°
Low season, lower prices
December
Recommended1°-2° at night
- 66 mm · 14 d
- sea 1°
Busy, without the crush
Read the twelve months in detail
January. Deep winter: -1 °C at the warmest of the day, -6 °C at night. Frequent but light showers: 68 mm over 14 days. Sea at 0 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
February. Deep winter: 0 °C at the warmest of the day, -5 °C at night. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (63 mm). Sea at 0 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
March. Deep winter: 2 °C at the warmest of the day, -4 °C at night. Expect 11 days of rain in the month (45 mm). Sea at 0 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
April. Deep winter: 7 °C at the warmest of the day, 0 °C at night. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (45 mm). Sea at 3 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
May. Cool: 14 °C at best, 6 °C at night. Expect 9 days of rain in the month (48 mm). Sea at 10 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
June. Mild, 19 °C in the afternoon and 12 °C early in the morning. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (56 mm). Sea at 17 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
July. Mild, 21 °C in the afternoon and 14 °C early in the morning. Expect 13 days of rain in the month (80 mm). Cool sea (18 °C), for the brave. High season: book early.
August. Mild, 20 °C in the afternoon and 14 °C early in the morning. Expect 13 days of rain in the month (83 mm). Cool sea (19 °C), for the brave. High season: book early.
September. Cool: 15 °C at best, 10 °C at night. Expect 11 days of rain in the month (70 mm). Sea at 17 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
October. Cool: 9 °C at best, 5 °C at night. Expect 13 days of rain in the month (80 mm). Sea at 11 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
November. Deep winter: 4 °C at the warmest of the day, 1 °C at night. Frequent rain: 78 mm over 14 days. Sea at 5 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
December. Deep winter: 1 °C at the warmest of the day, -2 °C at night. Frequent but light showers: 66 mm over 14 days. Sea at 1 °C, too cold to swim. 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 Helsinki?
May to September and December: over these months, recorded highs range from 1 to 21 °C, with 12 days of rain a month on average (2015-2024 records, Senate Square and Kruununhaka).
Which month should you avoid in Helsinki?
February: it is the wettest of the months to avoid, with 63 mm over 12 days of rain on average, according to 2015-2024 records at the reference point (Senate Square and Kruununhaka).
What is the hottest month in Helsinki?
July, with 21 °C on average in the afternoon and 14 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Senate Square and Kruununhaka).
What is the coldest month in Helsinki?
January, with -1 °C at best during the day and -6 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Senate Square and Kruununhaka).
What is the driest month in Helsinki?
March: 45 mm over 11 days of rain, against 83 mm in August, the wettest month.
When can you swim in Helsinki?
The water stays cool all year (warmest 19 °C in August, measured in 2023-2024 on the nearest coast, Senate Square and Kruununhaka): swimming is for the brave.
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable Helsinki guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🧭 When to visit Finland: the country overview→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
Compare with other destinations
Photos: Susanne Jutzeler, suju-foto / Pexels · Pablo / Pexels · Mingyang LIU / Pexels · Danny Photography / Pexels · Karolina / Pexels