Climate - Kemi (Finland)

The climate of Kemi is cold continental, with freezing winters and mild summers.
The city is located in central-northern Finland, at the mouth of the Kemijoki River, in the northernmost part of the Gulf of Bothnia (known as Perämeri) which can freeze in winter. It is useful to recall that sea water freezes at about -2 °C (28.5 °F).
We are at the 65th parallel, therefore just below the Arctic Circle. The white nights, when it is not completely dark even at midnight, occur from April 23 to August 21.
In winter, there can be cold spells of arctic origin. At the Kemi Airport, the coldest record is -43.2 °C (-45.8 °F) and was set in February 1966.
In summer, there can be short hot periods. The highest record is 32.9 °C (91.2 °F) and was set in July 1970.

Best Time

The best time to visit Kemi is the summer, from June to August, since it is the mildest season. However, you must take into account some rainy days and a bit of cold at night.

Kemi - Climate data

In Kemi, the average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of -10.1 °C (13.9 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 15.8 °C (60.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Kemi, precipitation amounts to 605 millimeters (23.8 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 30 mm (1.2 in) in the driest month (April) to 70 mm (2.8 in) in the wettest one (July). Here is the average precipitation.
At Kemi, the sea temperature ranges from -0.5 °C (31 °F) in February, March to 14.5 °C (58 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Kemi - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Kemi is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -9.9 °C (14 °F), with a minimum of -14.1 °C (6.6 °F) and a maximum of -5.7 °C (21.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -29 °C (-20 °F). However, it dropped to -42.6 °C (-44.7 °F) in January 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 3 °C (37 °F). However, it reached 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) in January 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 4 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are short.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 0.5 °C (33 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Kemi is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -10.1 °C (14 °F), with a minimum of -14.4 °C (6.1 °F) and a maximum of -5.7 °C (21.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -28.5 °C (-19.5 °F). However, it dropped to -35.4 °C (-31.7 °F) in February 2011.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it reached 7.7 °C (45.9 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of -0.5 °C (31.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Kemi is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -5.6 °C (22 °F), with a minimum of -10.3 °C (13.5 °F) and a maximum of -0.9 °C (30.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -23.5 °C (-10.5 °F). However, it dropped to -30.5 °C (-22.9 °F) in March 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it reached 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) in March 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of -0.5 °C (31 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Kemi is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.3 °C (32 °F), with a minimum of -3.9 °C (24.9 °F) and a maximum of 4.4 °C (40 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -14.5 °C (6 °F). However, it dropped to -24.9 °C (-12.8 °F) in April 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it reached 18.3 °C (64.9 °F) in April 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 minutes.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 0 °C (32 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Kemi is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 6.6 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 1.7 °C (35 °F) and a maximum of 11.5 °C (52.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10.6 °C (12.9 °F) in May 1999.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (69.5 °F). However, it reached 28.1 °C (82.6 °F) in May 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 19 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 2.5 °C (37 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Kemi is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.2 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 7.3 °C (45.1 °F) and a maximum of 17 °C (62.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -2.7 °C (27.1 °F) in June 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 31.4 °C (88.5 °F) in June 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 22 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are very long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Kemi is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.8 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 11.1 °C (51.9 °F) and a maximum of 20.6 °C (69.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.2 °C (31.6 °F) in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 31.6 °C (88.9 °F) in July 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 20 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13 °C (55.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In August, the weather in Kemi is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.6 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 9.2 °C (48.5 °F) and a maximum of 18 °C (64.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, it dropped to -3.6 °C (25.5 °F) in August 1997.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in August 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Kemi is usually mild. The average temperature is of 8.7 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 4.7 °C (40.5 °F) and a maximum of 12.6 °C (54.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7.6 °C (18.3 °F) in September 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 23.7 °C (74.7 °F) in September 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12 °C (53.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Kemi is usually cold. The average temperature is of 2.1 °C (36 °F), with a minimum of -1 °C (30.2 °F) and a maximum of 5.2 °C (41.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12 °C (10 °F). However, it dropped to -22.3 °C (-8.1 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it reached 16 °C (60.8 °F) in October 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (47 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Kemi is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -2.8 °C (27 °F), with a minimum of -5.7 °C (21.8 °F) and a maximum of 0.1 °C (32.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -18 °C (-0.5 °F). However, it dropped to -28.2 °C (-18.8 °F) in November 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it reached 10 °C (50 °F) in November 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 5 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are short.
The average humidity is 92%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (41 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Kemi is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -6.9 °C (20 °F), with a minimum of -10.6 °C (12.9 °F) and a maximum of -3.1 °C (26.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -24.5 °C (-12.5 °F). However, it dropped to -34.8 °C (-30.6 °F) in December 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it reached 6.8 °C (44.2 °F) in December 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 3 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are very short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 90%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.