Helsinki Weather, When to Go and Climate Information

(Helsinki, Uusimaa, Southern Finland, Finland)

Helsinki's climate is generally described as both maritime and continental, with warm to hot summer weather and particularly chilly winter months. Daytime temperatures peak in July at around 23°C / 73°F, dropping to below freezing in the depth of winter and hovering around -2°C / 28°F in February.

The long, sunny days of summer are perhaps the best time to visit Helsinki, and as many people agree with this, the city can become crowded during the peak of the season, when hotel prices rise in conjunction with the appealing climate and weather. Summer daylight lasts almost 20 hours, meaning that there is plenty to do in the evenings and many restaurants spill out onto their terraces for late-night dining.

Seasonal Climate Variations / When to Go

The springtime climate of Helsinki is fairly short lived and features a true explosion of fresh foliage and colourful flowers. After the long and cold winter months, the rapidly improving spring weather results in occasional highs of 15°C / 59°F as early as April, although averages of 7°C / 45°F are more commonplace.

As soon as the summer weather is upon Helsinki, then the festival season really begins and there are many different celebrations and events each week, such as the Kaivopuiston Kansanjuhla concerts in July and August, and also the historic Helsingin Juhlaviikot in August and early September, attracting some 200,000 festival-goers. The summer climate in Helsinki can also be a little damp at times, with the highest levels of rain falling in July, August and September, so be sure to pack accordingly and be prepared for unexpected showers.

Summer daylight hours in Helsinki are famous and the sun doesn't actually set for several weeks at this time of the year, with dusky skies remaining well after midnight. This prolonged twilight is simply another excuse to party into the early hours.

The coldest climate in Helsinki can be expected between December and February, when days are short, frosty weather is commonplace and deep, heavy snowfalls are predictable. Finland is home to many truly world-class ski resorts, a number of which are within reach of Helsinki, such as Alhovuori, Kauniainen, Kokonniemi, Messilä, Serena and Talma.

Helsinki Weather and Climate Chart (Averages)

	Maximum	Minimum
January	-1°C / 30°F	-5°C / 23°F
February	-2°C / 28°F	-7°C / 19°F
March	1°C / 34°F	-4°C / 25°F
April	7°C / 45°F	2°C / 36°F
May	13°C / 55°F	6°C / 43°F
June	18°C / 64°F	12°C / 54°F
July	23°C / 73°F	15°C / 59°F
August	18°C / 64°F	10°C / 50°F
September	15°C / 59°F	7°C / 45°F
October	9°C / 48°F	4°C / 39°F
November	1°C / 34°F	-1°C / 30°F
December	-1°C / 30°F	-6°C / 21°F