Best time to visit Finland

January is the windiest month in Finland. Real winter is all over the place, and snow carpet wraps fields and forests. South and southwest of the country tend to be warmer thanks to the Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic Drift Current, which moderate the climate of the continent from the west. Helsinki daily mean temperatures hover slightly below freezing, but some days are warmer. The northernmost regions are swallowed by darkness as at this time of year polar night prevails. Finns call it Kaamos. Places like Rovaniemi, the capital of Lapland, do not experience polar night, but the sun barely rises above the horizon in mid-winter, so in half of the country it is a twilight season. This gives more chances to witness the enchanting Aurora Borealis or Polar Lights. The air is generally dry and crisp, so event extreme winter temperatures do not feel so bad. Yet, extremely warm clothes are a must for the other outdoor activities like snowshoeing and dog sledding. The coldest days usually occur in late January.

In February, nature is dressed in magical snow apparel; the air is dry and crisp. February is usually the coldest month in Finland in the coastal regions. Helsinki and Turku experience temperatures a few degrees lower than in January, below freezing. The good news is that the southern part of Finland also receives less precipitation and more hours of sunshine than in mid-winter. Lapland typically has a twice-thicker snow carpet than the southern regions. Temperatures in Rovaniemi and other northern settlements start creeping up slowly, but they remain well below the freezing point. The water in the lakes and seas is frozen, and the one can spot so-called frost ‘flowers’ through the end of the month. Winter in Finland offers excellent conditions for ice fishing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and Polar Lights hunting. Make sure to bring warm clothes like a proper winter coat, waterproof winter shoes, warm gloves, a scarf, and a hat to survive the Nordic winter. The positive side of Finnish winter is that indoor spaces are well-heated so that you can rest well after outdoor activities in the cold.

The deepest snow cover in Southern and Middle Finland can be observed in the middle of March. Even though the weather is quite wintry, there is a springy feel hanging in the air. In Helsinki, Turku, and other southern destinations, average highs proudly step above the freezing line. Aurora hunting season in North Finland is coming to its end. Thanks to fewer days with precipitation and solar activity, March is one of the best months to spot Northern Lights in Finland. Day and night temperatures in Rovaniemi are also gradually increasing, yet, the above-freezing day is a rare occasion. The snow cover is still thick up north, so if you want to catch the last chance of pure winter magic with snow and magic Northern Lights in Lapland, March is your best bet. All winter activities from dog sledding to behold the beauty of the ‘tykky’ phenomena in Lapland are in full swing.

Winter fans should go up north to Lapland, where the snow cover reaches its peak in combination with plenty of sunshine. As days are getting longer, it’s the perfect time for winter outdoor activities in the wild. Packing warm clothes is a must as daily mean temperatures in Lapland are dangling close to freezing. In the south, everything starts melting, leaving the landscape gloomy and grey, which isn’t that appealing without the snow and the green. The average sunshine hours in Helsinki and Turku areas almost double, and cities seem to be more attractive than the nearby countryside at this time of year.

Spring enters in full swing in southern areas of Finland in May. Lake ice finally splits, revealing the beauty of Finnish nature. As the temperatures are rising, everything starts blooming and turning green in a span of a few weeks. May is a beautiful time in Southern and Middle Finland. In Helsinki, average highs give a chance to wear a light jacket. In some years, record lows in the Finnish capital dropped below the freezing point, but it’s a rare occasion. Up north, snow melts in May, but ice still covers the lakes until June. Daily temperatures in Rovaniemi crawl up well above freezing. It rains across the country in about one-third of May, so you might be lucky to catch a sunny day. And the good news is that days are long, especially in Lapland.

Weather conditions in Finland in June make for an excellent travel destination. Daily temperatures across the country range roughly between 10°C (50°F) and 20°C (70°F). Record highs in some years brought hot summer days while record lows dropped almost to freezing. Southern regions tend to be warmer than northern areas. On the other hand, northern places like Rovaniemi receive only nine days of precipitation in June compared to 14 rainy days in Helsinki. Moreover, northern regions of Finland enjoy Midnight Sun, also known as a polar day when the sun doesn’t set. Across the rest of the country, it doesn't get totally dark either, feeling more like twilight. The sun goes down for only a few hours and then rises soon again. All in all, June in Finland promises unpredictable weather when one day could be wonderfully warm and the following one rainy and cold.

The month of July is generally the most pleasant time of year in Finland. Days are warm and long, and lots of locals are on holiday. Average temperatures promise to be T-shirt friendly, yet, bringing a sweater is always a good idea when visiting Finland. Southern destinations like Helsinki and Turku receive plenty of sunshine, and only about ten days a month promise to be rainy. In Lapland, July is also wonderful, but not only tourists think so: mosquitos are there to accompany your outdoor adventure. July has another perk of the season—the Midnight Sun to illuminate your summer nights in Finland. Northern territories enjoy the sun 24/7, while in southern regions, the sun sets below the horizon only for a few hours to rise again soon.

The last summer month in Finland generally brings excellent weather for exploring the beauty of Finnish nature and cities. It is a fabulous month to visit both the south and the north of Finland. In Helsinki, August temperatures are slightly lower than in July, and the city receives a higher number of rainy days with occasional thunderstorms. Lapland starts cooling down as well, but wearing a light jacket or a sweater should be fine. In some years, record low temperatures in Rovaniemi drop below freezing, although it is a rare occasion. In areas north of the Arctic Circle, the sun doesn’t set at all as the Midnight Sun season is still running. In mid-August, Finnish kids go back to school, so family attractions tend to be more quiet, which is another perk of the season.

September brings a sweet farewell to long summer days. Temperatures keep lowering, which is perfect for hiking in clean, crisp air. Autumn foliage wraps forests of Lapland, so heading north for trekking is a popular pattern. This season is known as ‘ruska’ when the reds and yellows of fells in northern Finland are mesmerizing. Early autumn is also an excellent time for spotting Northern Lights. At this time of year, conditions for Polar Lights observation are excellent as solar activity levels are high, and nights are relatively warm. Weather in southern destinations, including Helsinki and Turku, is generally sightseeing-friendly, but be ready for a rainy day and pack some warmer clothes as nights get chilly.

Autumn takes hold of the southern areas of Finland. Hues of yellow, red, and orange paint the nature in this part of the country. Besides the colors, travelers have to face more frequent rains and stronger winds that are the main companions of cold autumn days in Finland. Average daily temperatures in Helsinki and Turku keep decreasing, making your visit to the cities rather unpleasant, sprinkled with rains. Up north, days get even colder, temperatures drop below freezing, and by the end of the month hiking is replaced by cross-country skiing. There are a few things that could cheer you up and make your visit to Finland in October brighter. In autumn, Northern Lights, also known as Aurora Borealis, light up the sky and reflect in the numerous lakes. Another perk of the season is wild berries that are usually in season through late October. And if you get cold and miserable, simply visit a famous Finnish sauna to warm your body and melt your heart.

In southern regions of Finland, November is sort of a transition month from autumn to winter. It tends to be dark and wet, and the ground is usually covered with sleet. Temperatures in Helsinki and other southern Finnish cities dangle slightly above freezing, so it might be a riddle to pack proper clothing. Lapland welcomes the beginning of winter with a thick snow cover and temperatures below freezing. The number of days with precipitation reaches its peak of about 12–18 days a month. To cheer yourself up during this gloomy period of short and cold days, spend some time in a traditional Finnish sauna, hit local bars, enjoy the silence of the low season, and hunt for Northern Lights.

Winter takes over the whole of Finland. Southern and Middle Finland receive a proper snow cover. Temperatures in urban destinations like Helsinki and Turku tend to hover slightly below freezing, so warm winter coat, hat, and gloves will be your best friends. Days are short and gloomy. In the north, December brings the mystical Kaamos season. In December and January, the sun does not rise above the horizon at all, but there is some light for about five hours per day. The magic sky hues of blue in the north and red in the south are mesmerizing. At about 2 pm, the so-called 'blue moment' occurs, when everything, including the sky and fluffy snow turns blue for a short time. Northern Lights are another perk of the freezing winter season in Lapland. Make sure to pack proper winter outerwear if you plan to engage in the outdoor winter activities.