Winter
Dec → Feb1 to 2°
nights -3°
- 11 rainy days · 48 mm
- 2.7 h of sun
- sea 1°
When is the best time to visit Sweden?
- Jan2°recommended
- Feb2°recommended
- Mar6°recommended
- Apr9°fair
- May16°fair
- Jun22°recommended
- Jul22°recommended
- Aug21°recommended
- Sep17°fair
- Oct11°not recommended
- Nov6°fair
- Dec1°recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in Sweden, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Sunshine | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sea | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2° | -3° | 2.2 h | 55 mm | 12 d | 0° | ✓ |
| February | 2° | -3° | 4.3 h | 41 mm | 9 d | 0° | ✓ |
| March | 6° | -2° | 6.6 h | 40 mm | 8 d | 1° | ✓ |
| April | 9° | 0° | 10 h | 33 mm | 8 d | 4° | |
| May | 16° | 5° | 12.6 h | 63 mm | 10 d | 12° | |
| June | 22° | 12° | 14.4 h | 64 mm | 10 d | 19° | ✓ |
| July | 22° | 13° | 13.7 h | 82 mm | 14 d | 22° | ✓ |
| August | 21° | 13° | 11.4 h | 80 mm | 11 d | 22° | ✓ |
| September | 17° | 10° | 8.4 h | 43 mm | 7 d | 20° | |
| October | 11° | 6° | 5.2 h | 68 mm | 12 d | 13° | |
| November | 6° | 1° | 2.8 h | 43 mm | 9 d | 7° | |
| December | 1° | -3° | 1.7 h | 48 mm | 13 d | 3° | ✓ |
The four seasons in Sweden, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (Stockholm) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Spring
Mar → May6 to 16°
nights -2 to 5°
- 9 rainy days · 45 mm
- 9.7 h of sun
- sea 6°
Summer
Jun → Aug21 to 22°
nights 12 to 13°
- 12 rainy days · 75 mm
- 13.2 h of sun
- sea 21°
Autumn
Sep → Nov6 to 17°
nights 1 to 10°
- 9 rainy days · 51 mm
- 5.5 h of sun
- sea 13°
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 Sweden, 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 18h34 of daylight, in December 6h07, a difference of 12h27.
6h50Jan
9h07Feb
11h35Mar
14h24Apr
16h57May
18h34Jun
17h52Jul
15h30Aug
12h43Sep
10h01Oct
7h30Nov
6h07Dec
Calculated for the latitude of the reference point "Stockholm" (59.33°). Values on the 15th of each month, local solar time.
What to do in Sweden, month by month
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiking | ||||||||||||
| Beach & swimming | ||||||||||||
| Towns & culture | ||||||||||||
| Long days | ||||||||||||
| Events | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
EventsMidsommarJuneKräftskiva (crayfish party)AugustNorthern lights in LaplandSeptember to MarchSt Lucia's DayDecemberDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
- Hiking: September
- Towns & culture: April, May, June, August, September, October
- Long days: April, May, June, July, August
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall, sea), not from an opinion.
What's on in Sweden, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. Exact dates change from year to year, so check them before you book.
- JuneMidsommar
The country empties out to summer houses on the Friday after the solstice, with a flower-decked maypole, ring dances and herring on the table.
- AugustKräftskiva (crayfish party)
Swedes dine on boiled crayfish beneath paper lanterns, party hats on their heads, throughout August.
- September to MarchNorthern lights in Lapland
The skies over Abisko and Kiruna open up to the northern lights from September to March, on clear nights far from any lights.
- DecemberSt Lucia's Day
Processions in white robes, crowns of candles on their heads, sing in churches and schools in mid-December.
Travelling off-peak
Month by month, in detail
January
Recommended2°-3° at night
- 55 mm · 12 d
- 2.2 h
- sea 0°
Busy, without the crush
February
Recommended2°-3° at night
- 41 mm · 9 d
- 4.3 h
- sea 0°
Busy, without the crush
March
Recommended6°-2° at night
- 40 mm · 8 d
- 6.6 h
- sea 1°
Busy, without the crush
April
Fair9°0° at night
- 33 mm · 8 d
- 10 h
- sea 4°
Low season, lower prices
May
Fair16°5° at night
- 63 mm · 10 d
- 12.6 h
- sea 12°
Low season, lower prices
June
Recommended22°12° at night
- 64 mm · 10 d
- 14.4 h
- sea 19°
Busy, without the crush
July
Recommended22°13° at night
- 82 mm · 14 d
- 13.7 h
- sea 22°
High season, book early
August
Recommended21°13° at night
- 80 mm · 11 d
- 11.4 h
- sea 22°
High season, book early
September
Fair17°10° at night
- 43 mm · 7 d
- 8.4 h
- sea 20°
Low season, lower prices
October
Not recommended11°6° at night
- 68 mm · 12 d
- 5.2 h
- sea 13°
Low season, lower prices
November
Fair6°1° at night
- 43 mm · 9 d
- 2.8 h
- sea 7°
Low season, lower prices
December
Recommended1°-3° at night
- 48 mm · 13 d
- 1.7 h
- sea 3°
Busy, without the crush
Read the twelve months in detail
January. Deep winter: 2 °C at the warmest of the day, -3 °C at night. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (55 mm). Very little sun: 2.2 h a day on average. Sea at 0 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
February. Deep winter: 2 °C at the warmest of the day, -3 °C at night. Expect 9 days of rain in the month (41 mm). Sunshine gets scarcer (4.3 h a day). Sea at 0 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
March. Deep winter: 6 °C at the warmest of the day, -2 °C at night. Expect 8 days of rain in the month (40 mm). Expect 6.6 h of sunshine a day. Sea at 1 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
April. Cool: 9 °C at best, 0 °C at night. Expect 8 days of rain in the month (33 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 10 h a day on average. Sea at 4 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
May. Cool: 16 °C at best, 5 °C at night. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (63 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 12.6 h a day on average. Sea at 12 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
June. Mild, 22 °C in the afternoon and 12 °C early in the morning. Expect 10 days of rain in the month (64 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 14.4 h a day on average. Cool sea (19 °C), for the brave. Busy season, without the crush.
July. Mild, 22 °C in the afternoon and 13 °C early in the morning. Frequent rain: 82 mm over 14 days. Plenty of sunshine: 13.7 h a day on average. The sea is at 22 °C: pleasant swimming. High season: book early.
August. Mild, 21 °C in the afternoon and 13 °C early in the morning. Expect 11 days of rain in the month (80 mm). Plenty of sunshine: 11.4 h a day on average. The sea is at 22 °C: pleasant swimming. High season: book early.
September. Cool: 17 °C at best, 10 °C at night. Rain stays light: 43 mm over 7 days. Expect 8.4 h of sunshine a day. Cool sea (20 °C), for the brave. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
October. Cool: 11 °C at best, 6 °C at night. Expect 12 days of rain in the month (68 mm). Sunshine gets scarcer (5.2 h a day). Sea at 13 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
November. Deep winter: 6 °C at the warmest of the day, 1 °C at night. Expect 9 days of rain in the month (43 mm). Very little sun: 2.8 h a day on average. Sea at 7 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
December. Deep winter: 1 °C at the warmest of the day, -3 °C at night. Expect 13 days of rain in the month (48 mm). Very little sun: 1.7 h a day on average. Sea at 3 °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 Sweden?
December to March and June to August: over these months, recorded highs range from 1 to 22 °C, with 11 days of rain a month on average (2015-2024 records, Stockholm).
Which month should you avoid in Sweden?
October: it is the wettest of the months to avoid, with 68 mm over 12 days of rain on average, according to 2015-2024 records at the reference point (Stockholm).
What is the hottest month in Sweden?
June, with 22 °C on average in the afternoon and 12 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Stockholm).
What is the coldest month in Sweden?
December, with 1 °C at best during the day and -3 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (Stockholm).
What is the driest month in Sweden?
April: 33 mm over 8 days of rain, against 82 mm in July, the wettest month.
Which month has the most sunshine in Sweden?
June, with 14.4 h of sunshine a day on average. Note that this counts clear skies, not the length of the day.
When can you swim in Sweden?
The water reaches 22 °C or more in July, August (warmest 22 °C in July), measured in 2023-2024 on the nearest coast (Stockholm).
When is the best time to hike in Sweden?
September: highs between 12 and 29 °C and no more than 9 days of rain a month according to 2015-2024 records (Stockholm), the safest windows for walking.
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable Sweden guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
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Photos: Max Avans / Pexels · Ercan Evcimen / Pexels · Hakan Tas / Pexels · Mark Davis / Pexels · Markus Bernet / CC BY-SA 2.5 (Wikimedia Commons)