Finland is one of the coldest countries in Europe. The weather is almost certain to be capricious, no doubt about the presence of snow in the north. But just how cold does Finland and, more specifically, Lapland get in winter?
We decided to separate Lapland (the north) from the rest of Finland. The weather is much heavier in the north, there is much more snow and the temperatures are incomparably less bearable – reaching even the likes of -40 C.
Weather in Lapland/Finland in December
The temperatures in December tend to stay around 0 degrees. The highest chance of snow we have is at the end of the month – the further into the north, the more snow there will be. From Tampere northwards, there’s basically no doubt whether the snow will appear.
You have a comparable chance of stumbling upon rain or drizzle. Beware of the slippery sidewalks! Thankfully, Finland uses grit on their walkways to help with adhesion. Apart from the far south, you should certainly expect a very snowy Christmas.
When it comes to Lapland though, there tends to be a ridiculous amount of snow, the further northwards from Rovaniemi the snowier. Keep in mind, the day lasts up to 3h 47min, with the minimal duration being 2h 15min. Plan your trips accordingly to make sure you don’t get lost in the woods in the middle of the night.
It’s not the best month for seeking Aurora Borealis – the sky tends to be pretty cloudy.
Weather in Lapland/Finland in January
The average temperature for the southern part of the country stays around -5 degrees Celsius. The likelihood of snow appearing rises, the temperatures can sometimes go as low as -10. It’s quite a frosty period for the south.
But it’s nothing compared to Lapland. Frost and snow everywhere, temperatures can go as low as -30 degrees! Make sure to utilise as many layers of clothing as you can, proper onion style. The day lasts from 3h to 6h.
Weather in Lapland/Finland in February
The best month for a Aurora Borealis hunt! Although the temperatures will still try to stop you in your tracks, as -20/-30 degrees still occur in the north. It’s still a tiny bit warmer than in January – especially in the south. In 2020, for instance, the average temperature in Helsinki was 2-3 degrees at the end of the month.
