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    What is the weather like in Helsinki in winter?

    Temperatures, snow and daylight in the capital from December to March.

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    Short answer

    Visit Finland gives typical winter temperatures of -3 to -8 °C in Helsinki. Winter starts later on the coast than inland, and the snow cover on the southwestern coast usually lasts only three to four months. The shortest day is about six hours, and sea winds can make cold days feel harsher.

    Weather & Seasons

    Why

    1. Visit Finland lists winter temperatures of -3 to -8 °C in Helsinki.
    2. Climateguide.fi says the southwestern coast has snow for about three to four months a year.
    3. The Finnish Meteorological Institute says the shortest day in southern Finland is about six hours.

    Details

    Temperatures around zero bring slush and icy pavements. When the sea freezes in a cold winter, people walk and ski on the ice near the shore, but only where it is known to be safe.

    Tip

    Visit a public sauna by the sea and try a winter swim. Several Helsinki saunas keep a hole in the ice open for swimmers.

    What may differ

    Some winters in Helsinki are mild and wet with little snow, while others bring weeks of frost and a frozen sea.

    Common misconception

    Helsinki is buried in snow all winter.

    What actually happens

    Snow cover on the south coast is shorter and less reliable than in the rest of Finland.

    People also ask

    • Is Helsinki worth visiting in January?
    • Does the sea freeze in Helsinki?
    • What to do in Helsinki in winter?

    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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