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    What is the coldest month in Finland?

    When the coldest days usually come and why the coast is later.

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    Short answer

    Late January and February. The Finnish Meteorological Institute says the coldest day of the year usually falls in late January, or in early February on the coast. Climateguide.fi adds that on maritime islands and coasts the coldest time is often early to mid-February, because the sea releases stored heat slowly.

    Weather & Seasons

    Why

    1. FMI says the coldest day is usually in late January, or early February on the coast.
    2. Climateguide.fi gives early to mid-February as the coldest time on maritime islands and coasts.
    3. The national record low of -51.5 °C was measured in January 1999, according to Climateguide.fi.

    Details

    Cold spells can come at any time from December to March. A few days of -25 °C or colder are possible even in the south in some winters.

    Tip

    If you dislike hard frost, Lapland in March gives you snow with milder days than late January.

    What may differ

    In mild winters January can stay close to zero in the south, and the coldest spell may come late, in February or even March.

    Common misconception

    December is the coldest month because it is the darkest.

    What actually happens

    The coldest time lags behind the darkest by about a month, so it usually comes in late January or February.

    People also ask

    • Is January or February colder in Finland?
    • How cold is Finland in January?
    • When is the coldest week in Helsinki?

    Sources

    This answer is for reference only. Weather varies a lot from year to year, so check the forecast of the Finnish Meteorological Institute before you travel.

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