Climate - Kuusamo (Finland)

The climate of Kuusamo is cold continental, with freezing winters and mild summers.
The city is located in eastern Finland, 270 meters (885 feet) above sea level, in North Ostrobothnia, and a short distance from the border with Russia.
It is true that we are at the 65th parallel, therefore just south of the Arctic Circle, but due to atmospheric refraction, the midnight sun can be seen here as well, from June 14th to 29th. The white nights, when the sun sets but it doesn't get completely dark even at midnight, occur before and after the period of the midnight sun, ie from April 23rd, and until August 21th.
In winter, there can be cold spells of arctic origin. The coldest record is -45 °C (-49 °F) and was set in January 1985 and in January 1999.
In summer, there can be short hot periods. The highest record is 31.2 °C (88.2 °F) and was set in July 1972.

Best Time

The best time to visit Kuusamo 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.

Kuusamo - Climate data

In Kuusamo, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -11.9 °C (10.6 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Kuusamo, precipitation amounts to 615 millimeters (24.2 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 35 mm (1.4 in) in the driest months (February, March, April) to 85 mm (3.3 in) in the wettest one (July). Here is the average precipitation.

Kuusamo - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Kuusamo is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -11.9 °C (11 °F), with a minimum of -15.9 °C (3.5 °F) and a maximum of -7.9 °C (17.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -33 °C (-27 °F). However, it dropped to -44.9 °C (-48.8 °F) in January 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it reached 5 °C (41 °F) in January 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 4 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are short.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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In February, the weather in Kuusamo is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -11.6 °C (11 °F), with a minimum of -15.8 °C (3.6 °F) and a maximum of -7.5 °C (18.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -31.5 °C (-24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -39.2 °C (-38.6 °F) in February 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it reached 4.9 °C (40.8 °F) in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In March, the weather in Kuusamo is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -7.3 °C (19 °F), with a minimum of -12.1 °C (10.3 °F) and a maximum of -2.5 °C (27.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -27 °C (-17 °F). However, it dropped to -35.7 °C (-32.3 °F) in March 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it reached 9.8 °C (49.6 °F) in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (7 mph).

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In April, the weather in Kuusamo is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -1.2 °C (30 °F), with a minimum of -5.7 °C (21.7 °F) and a maximum of 3.3 °C (38 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -19 °C (-2 °F). However, it dropped to -27.4 °C (-17.3 °F) in April 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it reached 16.6 °C (61.9 °F) in April 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 30 minutes.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In May, the weather in Kuusamo is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.5 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 0.8 °C (33.5 °F) and a maximum of 10.2 °C (50.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -12.5 °C (9.5 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 26.8 °C (80.2 °F) in May 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 19 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In June, the weather in Kuusamo is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.6 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 6.9 °C (44.5 °F) and a maximum of 16.3 °C (61.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F) in June 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, it reached 29.4 °C (84.9 °F) in June 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 23 hours and 25 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 66%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Kuusamo is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.9 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 10.4 °C (50.7 °F) and a maximum of 19.4 °C (66.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.4 °C (32.7 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 29.8 °C (85.6 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 20 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In August, the weather in Kuusamo is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.5 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8.3 °C (47 °F) and a maximum of 16.6 °C (61.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1.4 °C (29.5 °F) in August 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 29.7 °C (85.5 °F) in August 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In September, the weather in Kuusamo is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.2 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 3.9 °C (38.9 °F) and a maximum of 10.6 °C (51.1 °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 -8.6 °C (16.5 °F) in September 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 21.8 °C (71.2 °F) in September 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In October, the weather in Kuusamo is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.5 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -1.8 °C (28.7 °F) and a maximum of 2.9 °C (37.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12.5 °C (9 °F). However, it dropped to -26.5 °C (-15.7 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it reached 13.2 °C (55.8 °F) in October 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
The average humidity is 90%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In November, the weather in Kuusamo is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -5.2 °C (23 °F), with a minimum of -8 °C (17.6 °F) and a maximum of -2.5 °C (27.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -21.5 °C (-7 °F). However, it dropped to -32.7 °C (-26.9 °F) in November 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it reached 9.1 °C (48.4 °F) in November 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 5 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are short.
The average humidity is 92%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In December, the weather in Kuusamo is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -9.1 °C (16 °F), with a minimum of -12.5 °C (9.5 °F) and a maximum of -5.7 °C (21.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -28 °C (-18 °F). However, it dropped to -36.8 °C (-34.2 °F) in December 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 1.5 °C (35 °F). However, it reached 6.2 °C (43.2 °F) in December 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 3 hours and 10 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 10 kph (6 mph).