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    How many hours of daylight are there in Helsinki in winter?

    Winter daylight in the south and how fast the days grow in spring.

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    Short answer

    About six hours on the shortest day. The Finnish Meteorological Institute says the shortest day in southern Finland is about six hours long, around the winter solstice in late December. After that the days grow quickly, and in March they get about five minutes longer every day in Helsinki.

    Weather & Seasons

    Why

    1. FMI states that the shortest day in southern Finland is about six hours.
    2. Visit Finland says Helsinki days get about five minutes longer each day in March.
    3. According to FMI, the longest day in southern Finland is nearly 19 hours around Midsummer.

    Details

    In December the sun stays low even at midday, and cloudy weather can make the day feel darker. Snow, when there is some, brightens the city a lot.

    Tip

    Start sightseeing around 10 in December and plan museums and cafés for the dark afternoon.

    What may differ

    Further north the winter days are much shorter, and in northern Lapland the sun does not rise at all for several weeks.

    Common misconception

    Helsinki has polar night in winter.

    What actually happens

    Helsinki is far south of the Arctic Circle. The sun rises every day, giving about six hours of daylight at the minimum.

    People also ask

    • What time does it get dark in Helsinki in December?
    • Is Helsinki dark in winter?
    • How long is the shortest day in Finland?

    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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