Winter
Dec → Feb-7 to -4°
nights -13 to -9°
- 12 rainy days · 44 mm
When is the best time to visit Finnish Lapland?
- Jan-7°recommended
- Feb-6°recommended
- Mar-1°recommended
- Apr4°fair
- May11°not recommended
- Jun17°not recommended
- Jul20°fair
- Aug18°recommended
- Sep12°recommended
- Oct4°fair
- Nov-1°fair
- Dec-4°recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Finnish Lapland, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall | Rainy days | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -7° | -13° | 44 mm | 11 d | ✓ |
| February | -6° | -11° | 40 mm | 10 d | ✓ |
| March | -1° | -8° | 39 mm | 10 d | ✓ |
| April | 4° | -4° | 41 mm | 10 d | |
| May | 11° | 2° | 52 mm | 10 d | |
| June | 17° | 9° | 73 mm | 12 d | |
| July | 20° | 12° | 92 mm | 13 d | |
| August | 18° | 11° | 89 mm | 14 d | ✓ |
| September | 12° | 6° | 74 mm | 13 d | ✓ |
| October | 4° | 0° | 66 mm | 12 d | |
| November | -1° | -5° | 53 mm | 12 d | |
| December | -4° | -9° | 48 mm | 14 d | ✓ |
The four seasons in Finnish Lapland, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Rovaniemi) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Spring
Mar → May-1 to 11°
nights -8 to 2°
- 10 rainy days · 44 mm
Summer
Jun → Aug17 to 20°
nights 9 to 12°
- 13 rainy days · 85 mm
Autumn
Sep → Nov-1 to 12°
nights -5 to 6°
- 12 rainy days · 64 mm
Book early for December to March and August to September
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 Finnish Lapland, 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 24h of daylight, in December 2h22, a difference of 21h38. In June the sun does not set.
4h09Jan
7h57Feb
11h25Mar
15h18Apr
19h21May
24hJun
21h28Jul
16h56Aug
12h58Sep
9h15Oct
5h25Nov
2h22Dec
Calculated for the latitude of the reference point "Rovaniemi" (66.50°). Values on the 15th of each month, local solar time.
What to do in Finnish Lapland, month by month
EventsNorthern lightsSeptember to MarchMidnight sunMay to JulyRuska (autumn colours)SeptemberChristmas in RovaniemiDecemberDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
- Towns & culture: May, June
- Long days: April, May, June, July, August
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall), not from an opinion.
What's on in Finnish Lapland, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. One of these events fills the hotels and pushes prices up: something to aim for or to avoid, depending on what you want.
- September to MarchNorthern lights
The sky comes alive as soon as the nights turn dark again, from September to March, as long as it stays clear.
- May to JulyMidnight sun
North of the Arctic Circle, the sun does not set for several weeks, from late May to mid-July.
- SeptemberRuska (autumn colours)
The birches and the tundra turn red and gold for two or three weeks in September.
- DecemberChristmas in Rovaniemi big crowds
Santa Claus Village runs at full tilt in December: direct flights, sleigh rides booked well in advance, prices at their peak.
Travelling off-peak
Month by month, in detail
January
Recommended-7°-13° at night
- 44 mm · 11 d
Busy, without the crush
February
Recommended-6°-11° at night
- 40 mm · 10 d
Busy, without the crush
March
Recommended-1°-8° at night
- 39 mm · 10 d
Busy, without the crush
April
Fair4°-4° at night
- 41 mm · 10 d
Low season, lower prices
May
Not recommended11°2° at night
- 52 mm · 10 d
Low season, lower prices
June
Not recommended17°9° at night
- 73 mm · 12 d
Low season, lower prices
July
Fair20°12° at night
- 92 mm · 13 d
Busy, without the crush
August
Recommended18°11° at night
- 89 mm · 14 d
High season, book early
September
Recommended12°6° at night
- 74 mm · 13 d
Busy, without the crush
October
Fair4°0° at night
- 66 mm · 12 d
Low season, lower prices
November
Fair-1°-5° at night
- 53 mm · 12 d
Low season, lower prices
December
Recommended-4°-9° at night
- 48 mm · 14 d
High season, book early
Read the twelve months in detail
January. Deep winter: -7 °C at the warmest of the day, -13 °C at night. Expect 11 days of rain in the month (44 mm). Busy season, without the crush.
February. Deep winter: -6 °C at the warmest of the day, -11 °C at night. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (40 mm). Busy season, without the crush.
March. Deep winter: -1 °C at the warmest of the day, -8 °C at night. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (39 mm). Busy season, without the crush.
April. Deep winter: 4 °C at the warmest of the day, -4 °C at night. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (41 mm). Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
May. Cool: 11 °C at best, 2 °C at night. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (52 mm). Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
June. Cool: 17 °C at best, 9 °C at night. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (73 mm). Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
July. Mild, 20 °C in the afternoon and 12 °C early in the morning. Expect 13 days of rain in the month (92 mm). Busy season, without the crush.
August. Mild, 18 °C in the afternoon and 11 °C early in the morning. Frequent rain: 89 mm over 14 days. High season: book early.
September. Cool: 12 °C at best, 6 °C at night. Expect 13 days of rain in the month (74 mm). Busy season, without the crush.
October. Deep winter: 4 °C at the warmest of the day, 0 °C at night. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (66 mm). Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
November. Deep winter: -1 °C at the warmest of the day, -5 °C at night. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (53 mm). Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
December. Deep winter: -4 °C at the warmest of the day, -9 °C at night. Frequent but light showers: 48 mm over 14 days. High season: book early.
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 Finnish Lapland?
December to March and August to September: over these months, recorded highs range from -7 to 18 °C, with 12 days of rain a month on average (2015-2024 records, Rovaniemi).
Which month should you avoid in Finnish Lapland?
June: it is the wettest of the months to avoid, with 73 mm over 12 days of rain on average, according to 2015-2024 records at the reference point (Rovaniemi).
What is the hottest month in Finnish Lapland?
July, with 20 °C on average in the afternoon and 12 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Rovaniemi).
What is the coldest month in Finnish Lapland?
January, with -7 °C at best during the day and -13 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Rovaniemi).
What is the driest month in Finnish Lapland?
March: 39 mm over 10 days of rain, against 92 mm in July, the wettest month.
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable Finnish Lapland 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: Ilia Bronskiy / Pexels · Ercan Evcimen / Pexels · Mari Anteroinen / Pexels · Travel with Lenses / Pexels · fra.fb / Pexels · Fanny Hagan-Södervall / Pexels