The capital of Finland is located on southern edge of the country on coasts of the bay of Finland. Naturally it is warmer than northern part of Finland, but the city is warmer than other localities of same latitude. Thermal influence of the Baltic Sea and the North Atlantic Current softens winter in Helsinki.

In general climate of Helsinki is temperate with long snowy winter and summer that stys in borders of calendar period. Spring and autumn are long and cool. Severe frost are rear as well as heat over 30 °C. Most of precipitation is at late summer and through whole autumn.

 

Weather and Climate

 

Spring in Helsinki

At March temperature averages reach positive range (above 32 °F). However remains probability of frosts down to -5 °C. If frost occurs after beginning of thaw streets become covered with ice crust. April is local blast of nature. At this time vegetation rapidly shoots green sprouts and leafs. Daytime averages crawl up to range of 4-9 °C. At nights some stray frosts may occur too with certain chance.

May continues warming tendency. Temperature rises to 10-18 °C and tourists influx increases. In addition late May marks beginning of period of white nights when sun doesn’t sets completely for two months.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: 0 °C (32 °F) Min average t°: -6 °C (21 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 38 mm (1,5")

April Max average t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Min average t°: 0 °C (32 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 39 mm (1,5")

May Max average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Min average t°: +4 °C (39 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 46 mm (1,8")

Spring Holidays

March 19 – Equality Day in Finland.
March-April – Easter Celebrations.

April - Helsinki Coffee Festival.
April 9 – Finnish language day.
April 30 – Walpurgis Night.

May 1 - May Day (Vappu).
May - Mother’s Day, Ascension Day.

Summer in Helsinki

June marks beginning of actual summer in Helsinki. Averages of 15 °C (59 °F) with occasional 22 °C (72 °F) and marvelous white nights are promoting exploration of the city on foot. At July warm air masses from above the Atlantic Ocean drive warmth to Helsinki. Range of average temperatures reaches mark of 22 °C (72 °F) or may grow to 30 °C (86 °F) at most warm years. Amount and frequency of precipitation grows too, but never reaches really uncomfortable level.

Last summer month is as warm as previous. Average of 21 °C (70 °F) and occasional showers cannot spoil pleasure of mostly bright summer days in the capital of Finland..

 

Climate of the Summer Months

 

June Max average t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Min average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 48 mm (1,9")

July Max average t°: +21 °C (70 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 61 mm (2,4")

August Max average t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Min average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 77 mm (3,0")

Summer Holidays

June – Helsinki Pride.
June 12 – Helsinki Day.
June 23 – Saint John's Eve, Finnish Flag day.

July 6 – Eino Leino's Day.

August – “Flow” Festival of Music, Visual Arts and Urban Art.
August-September – Helsinki Festival.

Autumn in Helsinki

Occasional fogs show approach of autumn. Frequency of cloudy weather grows and daytime averages descend to 11-16 °C (52-61 °F). At October the city receives most of annual amount of precipitation. It is almost constant overcast and range of daytime temperatures shifts to 6-10 °C (50 °F).

At November temperature falls to 3 °C (37 °F) and barely reaches this mark later at last month of autumn. At late October the city is covered with snow and temperatures are mostly in negative range (below 32 °F). It is the time of snow, cold and polar nights.

 

Climate of the Autumn Months

 

September Max average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Min average t°: +7 °C (45 °F) Sundial in the day: 5 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 69 mm (2,7")

October Max average t°: +8 °C (46°F) Min average t°: +2 °C (36 °F) Sundial in the day: 2 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 68 mm (2,7")

November Max average t°: +2 °C (36 °F) Min average t°: -1 °C (30 °F) Sundial in the day: 1 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 66 mm (2,6")

Autumn Holidays

October – Herring fair.
October 10 - Aleksis Kivi's Day, Finnish Literature Day.
October 31 – All Saints’ Day.

November - Father’s Day.
November 6 - Swedish Culture Day in Finland.
November 30 – St. Andrew’s Day.

Winter in Helsinki

First month of winter brings spectacular Northern Lights and about -2 °C (28 °F) of daytime average temperature. Although Finland is northern country there are no severe frosts even at January. With average of -4 °C (25 °F) and plenty of snow Helsinki is as beautiful as it is cozy, especially when there is no wind. February is somewhat drier and cooler. Frequency and intensity of snowfall reduces as well as temperature. Temperature reaches range of -6 °C (21 °F) to -10 °C (14 °F).

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: 0 °C (32 °F) Min average t°: -4 °C (25 °F) Sundial in the day: 0,5 hours Rainy days: 11 days Precipitation: 65 mm (2,6")

January Max average t°: -3 °C (27 °F) Min average t°: -8 °C (18 °F) Sundial in the day: 1 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 55 mm (2,2")

February Max average t°: -3 °C (27 °F) Min average t°: -9 °C (16 °F) Sundial in the day: 2 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 40 mm (1,6")

Winter Holidays

December 6 - Independence Day.
December 13 – St. Lucia Day.
December 24-26 – Christmas celebrations.

January 1 – New Year’s Day.
January – Lux Helsinki.