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    How long is winter in Finland?

    How meteorologists define winter and how long it lasts by region.

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    Short answer

    Finnish meteorologists define winter as the period when the daily mean temperature stays below zero. By that measure it lasts about 100 days in southwestern Finland and about 200 days in Lapland, making it the longest season. It starts in mid-October in Lapland, in November in most of the country and in December in the southwestern archipelago.

    Weather & Seasons

    Why

    1. The Finnish Meteorological Institute defines thermal winter as the time when the daily mean temperature is below 0 °C.
    2. FMI says winter lasts about 100 days in southwestern Finland and 200 days in Lapland.
    3. Climateguide.fi says winter lasts about seven months in central and northern Lapland.

    Details

    Season lengths vary greatly from year to year. A mild winter in the south can be broken by long spells above zero.

    Tip

    For a guaranteed winter experience, travel to Lapland between December and March.

    What may differ

    Finns themselves often think of winter as December to February, but in Lapland snow and frost last much longer.

    Common misconception

    Winter in Finland lasts nine months everywhere.

    What actually happens

    Even in Lapland it is about seven months, and in the southwest only about three.

    People also ask

    • What months are winter in Finland?
    • Is winter long in Helsinki?
    • When does winter end in Lapland?

    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.

    Weather & Seasons
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