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    Is there snow in Helsinki in December?

    How likely a white Christmas is in the capital and when snow is most reliable.

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    Short answer

    It is not guaranteed. Helsinki is on the mild south coast, where winter starts later and the snow cover usually lasts only three to four months. Some Decembers are white, others are dark and wet with temperatures around zero. January to March gives the best chance of snow in Helsinki.

    Weather & Seasons

    Why

    1. Climateguide.fi says the southwestern coast has snow for about three to four months a year.
    2. The Finnish Meteorological Institute says winter starts in December in the southwestern archipelago and in November in most of Finland.
    3. According to FMI, snow depth peaks in mid-March at about 20 to 30 cm in the southwest.

    Details

    Winter has warmed more than any other season in Finland, by roughly 2 to 3 degrees since the 1880s, which makes snowless Decembers in the south more common.

    Tip

    If snow is the main reason for a December trip, combine Helsinki with a few days in Lapland.

    What may differ

    Inland cities such as Tampere, Jyväskylä and Kuopio usually get lasting snow earlier than Helsinki.

    Common misconception

    All of Finland has a white Christmas every year.

    What actually happens

    A white Christmas is very likely in Lapland but uncertain on the south coast.

    People also ask

    • Does Helsinki have a white Christmas?
    • When does it snow in Helsinki?
    • Is Helsinki worth visiting in December?

    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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