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Climate - Sweden


Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine

Flag - Sweden

Map - Sweden

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Index


  • Introduction
  • Center-north - Kiruna, Lulea, Ostersund
  • South - Stockholm, Malmo, Gothenburg

Introduction



Sweden is a country of northern Europe that extends from 55 to 69 degrees north latitude and has different types of climates: subpolar in Lapland and the Scandinavian Mountains, Baltic semi-continental on the south-central coasts, and almost oceanic on southern coasts and islands.
Compared with Norway, the Swedish climate is usually less rainy and more continental, so it is colder in winter and warmer and sunnier in summer. This happens because the westerly winds, mild and humid, are partially blocked by the Scandinavian Mountains, so they are able to easily penetrate the Swedish territory only in the southernmost part.
Being partially closed and not very extended, the Baltic Sea is able to temper the climate in a limited way, especially in the north, where it narrows into the Gulf of Bothnia, which can freeze in winter.
Precipitation in Sweden is generally not abundant, and hovers from 520 to 650 millimeters (20/23.5 inches) per year in much of the country. However, it exceeds 700 mm along the southwestern coast, which is exposed to Atlantic currents (see Gothenburg, Halmstad), while it is much more abundant in the ridge of the Scandinavian Alps, where it can even surpass 1,500 mm (60 in) per year. The wettest season is autumn on the southwest coast and summer in the rest of the country.
Some parts of Sweden are quite sunny. All along the east coast, from Luleå to Stockholm, there are 1,850/1,900 hours of sunshine per year. The maximum is reached on the southeastern islands, Gotland and Öland, where the sun shines for 2,100 hours a year (for comparison, no city in Germany reaches 1,900 hours). On the other hand, there are less than 1,700 hours of sunshine per year on the southwest coast and less than 1,600 hours in Lapland. However, the differences occur mainly in summer, while in winter there is little sun everywhere, also because the days are very short.

Winter is the season with the most noticeable contrasts between the different parts of the country, but also between different meteorological situations. In fact, when Atlantic air masses reach the country, the temperature hovers around freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) in much of the country, at least in the plains, and may even exceed this value in Stockholm and in the south, where rain can also replace the snow, but when the country is affected by Siberian air masses, the temperature drops across the country, to about -20 °C (-4 °F) in the southern regions, and as low as -40 °C (-40 °F) in the northern ones.
The average winter temperatures vary greatly between the different areas, in fact, in January and February the average temperature is about 1 °C (34 °F) in the far south (see Malmö), -2 °C (28.5 °F) in Stockholm, -6/-7 °C (19/21 °F) in the central part (see Östersund, Umea), and -12/-13 °C (9/10 °F) in Lapland. Consequently, winter's duration also varies depending on area, from three months in the far south to nine months in Lapland.
In Sweden, as generally happens in Nordic countries, winter is also characterized by the length of the days: in December, the days are very short, and the sun doesn't even rise in the far north; February is typically colder than December, but the days begin to lengthen fairly clearly.
During winter, it often happens that almost all of Sweden is covered with snow, except the southern tip, i.e. the area of Gothenburg and Scania. On milder periods, when the westerlies blow, snow melts in a broader area, which often includes Stockholm, while the North remains permanently covered with snow.
In the following satellite image, we can see a situation of this type, when southern Sweden is free from snow. You can also notice the frozen sea in the northernmost part of the Gulf of Bothnia (Bothnian Bay or Bottenviken in Swedish).

Sweden from the satellite, snow cover in the center-north

Summer in Sweden is usually mild or pleasantly warm, and it is the season of the year with the smallest differences between north and south. In the northernmost part, north of the Arctic Circle, in the Swedish part of Lapland, the three summer months (June, July and August) are the only ones in which the temperature rises steadily above freezing; daytime temperatures are mild, around 18/20 °C (64/68 °F), and sometimes even hot, while nights remain very cool, around 10 °C (50 °F) or below.
On the east coast, daytime temperatures in July range from 20.5 °C (69 °F) in Luleå to 23 °C (73.5 °F) in Stockholm, while they drop to 21 °C (70 °F) on the southwest coast (see Gothenburg), where the west wind often blows even in summer.
The heat records in Sweden are around 30/31 °C (86/88 °F) in Lapland and 32/34 °C (90/93 °F) in the rest of the country. Locally, and very rarely, 35 °C (95 °F) were reached in the south-central inland areas. Periods with highs of around 30 °C (86 °F) are typically short, and do not last more than two or three days (even though in the summer of 2018, the heat lasted for long periods).

Center-north



The center-north of Sweden is characterized by long, freezing winters and short, mild summers.

Kiruna

In the northern inland areas, in the counties of Norrbotten and Västerbotten, we find the Swedish part of Lapland. Here are the average temperatures of Kiruna, located just north of the Arctic Circle, 550 meters (1,800 feet) above sea level. Here, in the worst moments of winter, the temperature can drop to -40 °C (-40 °F).
Kiruna - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January-16-7-11.631911.2
February-16-7-11.531911.2
March-12-3-7.7102718.2
April-72-2.1203628.2
May094.4324739.8
June5149.9425849.9
July91813.4486456.1
August71511.1446051.9
September3106.3375043.3
October-42-1253630.3
November-11-3-7.1132619.3
December-14-5-9.772214.6
Year-4.63.8-0.423.738.831.5

In Kiruna, precipitation amounts to 560 mm (22 inches) per year, with a maximum in summer. From October to April, precipitation generally occurs in the form of snow. Here is the average precipitation.
Kiruna - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January301.28
February301.28
March200.85
April301.26
May552.27
June602.48
July1154.512
August652.69
September451.86
October401.67
November401.68
December301.28
Year5602292

The sun in Kiruna is hardly ever seen in winter (also because it does not even rise approximately from December 11th to January 1st), while in summer, it shines for a few hours a day (however, considering that the days are very long, and the sun never sets approximately from May 28th to July 16th, the percentage is not very high). Here are the average sunshine hours per day.
Kiruna - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January0.510
February2.570
March5160
April7205
May7.5235
June7.5225
July8245
August6180
September4115
October2.580
November0.520
December00
Year4.31555

Lulea

In the northernmost part of the coast, in Luleå, winter is still long and freezing. As mentioned, the sea in winter is often frozen, so the mitigating effect of the Gulf of Bothnia is reduced. It can be useful to recall that sea water freezes at about -2 °C (28.5 °F).
During the most intense cold spells, the temperature from November to March can drop below -25 °C (-13 °F).
Lulea - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January-13-5-8.792416.3
February-13-5-9.182315.6
March-90-4.4163224.1
April-351264133.8
May3127.3375345.1
June91713486355.4
July122016.5546961.6
August111814.6526558.4
September6139.5435649.1
October062.7314236.9
November-60-2.9213226.9
December-10-3-6.5142720.3
Year-1.16.72.830.144.137

In Lulea, precipitation amounts to 600 mm (23.5 inches) per year, with a maximum in July and August.
Lulea - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January50210
February351.49
March301.28
April301.27
May401.67
June602.48
July602.48
August702.89
September602.48
October5029
November552.210
December50211
Year60023.6104

In the northernmost part of the Gulf of Bothnia, the sea remains cold even in summer, since it reaches at most 14.5 °C (58 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures in Lulea.
Lulea - Sea temperature
MonthCelsius (°C)Fahrenheit (°F)
January133
February031
March-131
April032
May337
June846
July1356
August1558
September1254
October847
November541
December236
Year5.541.8

In the western part of Sweden, the temperature decreases with altitude. In the Scandinavian Mountains, there are several peaks above 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) in Lapland, while in the central regions, they reach 1,800 meters (5,900 ft). The ski season is longer than in the Alps, in fact, the final races of the ski World Cup are often held in Sweden, in March (eg in Åre).
Despite being a renowned ski resort, Åre is located at only 370 meters (1,200 feet) above sea level; the nearby mountains reach 1,420 meters (4,660 feet). The snowline, too, is of course lower than in the Alps because of the colder climate.
In the valleys between the mountains, summer can be cool, especially near the lakes, which are frozen in winter and remain cool in summer.

Ostersund

East of the mountain range, there is a plateau, with many cities at around 300/500 meters (1,000/1,600 feet). Here, the winter temperatures are below freezing; in summer, daytime temperatures hover around 18/20 °C (64/68 °F), with cool nights, as we can see from the temperatures in Östersund, located in the central part of the country, 350 meters (1,100 feet) above sea level, near Lake Storsjön.
Ostersund - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January-9-3-5.6172722
February-9-2-5.6162822
March-61-2.2223428
April-172.6304436.7
May3127.8385446.1
June81611.9466153.5
July111915516759
August101813.7506456.7
September6139.5435549
October163.7344338.7
November-31-1.1263430.1
December-7-1-4.2192924.4
Year0.47.33.8532.845.139

In Östersund, precipitation amounts to 525 mm (20.5 inches) per year, with a maximum in July and August.
Ostersund - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January301.28
February200.85
March200.86
April2516
May401.66
June702.810
July853.311
August803.110
September5029
October451.89
November351.49
December301.27
Year52520.796

South



In southern Sweden, the average temperature in January exceeds -3 °C (26.5 °F), and even in winter, there may be quite long periods during which the temperature exceeds freezing and snow melts (even though it depends on the year).

Stockholm

Here are the average temperatures in the capital, Stockholm, located a short distance from the coast.
Stockholm - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January-51-1.8243428.8
February-51-1.9233428.6
March-351274133.9
April1115.8335242.4
May51610.8416151.4
June102015.2506959.4
July132318.2567464.8
August122217.2547262.9
September81712.5476254.5
October4107385144.6
November052.9334237.2
December-32-0.2273631.7
Year3.211.37.2537.852.445

In Stockholm, about 530 mm (21 in) of rain or snow fall per year, so precipitation is not abundant, although it is well distributed over the months, and experiences a minimum in spring and a maximum in summer, as often happens in the rest of Sweden. Here is the average precipitation.
Stockholm - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January301.26
February301.26
March301.27
April451.86
May351.46
June602.49
July5028
August652.69
September652.69
October401.69
November451.810
December351.49
Year52520.795

Here are the average daily sunshine hours in Stockholm, where the day lasts just over 6 hours in the winter solstice (December 22) and just over 18 hours and a half in the summer solstice (June 21).
Stockholm - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January1.545
February2.575
March5150
April7215
May9280
June9275
July9280
August7.5235
September5.5170
October395
November1.545
December135
Year5.21900

The sea temperature in Stockholm, on the south-east coast, is just above freezing for a few months in winter and spring, while it reaches 17 °C (63 °F) in August.
Stockholm - Sea temperature
MonthCelsius (°C)Fahrenheit (°F)
January337
February235
March235
April337
May642
June1151
July1661
August1763
September1457
October1050
November644
December440
Year7.846

In the Baltic Sea south of Stockholm, the island of Gotland has a relatively mild micro-climate: it has an average winter temperature around freezing, and is also less rainy and windy that the southern part of the mainland.

Uppsala

Gothenburg

Owing to the prevalence of the westerlies, in the coastline facing south-west and overlooking the straits of Skagerrak and Kattegat (see Goteborg, Halmstad), the climate is often rainy, cloudy and windy. However, in winter, there are periods with snow and frost here as well, when the wind blows from the east.
Here are the average temperatures in Gothenburg.
Gothenburg - Average temperatures (1991-2017)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January-32-0.3273631.5
February-32-0.4263631.2
March-261.9294235.4
April2116.2355143.2
May61510.6426051
June91813.8496556.9
July122116.6547061.9
August122016.2536961.1
September81712.6476254.6
October4117.8405246
November173.9344439
December-240.9293833.6
Year3.811.27.538.852.245.5

Since this coast is directly exposed to the west winds, precipitation is more abundant than on the other coastal areas of Sweden. In Gothenburg, it amounts to 915 mm (36 in), with a maximum in autumn. Here is the average precipitation.
Gothenburg - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January853.312
February602.410
March552.29
April5028
May552.29
June75310
July803.19
August953.712
September803.111
October1003.912
November853.312
December953.713
Year91536127

The sun in Gothenburg rarely shines in winter, while in summer, thanks to the length of the days, it shines for a few hours a day, though a little less than in Stockholm and on the eastern side.
Gothenburg - Sunshine hours
MonthAverageTotal
January1.545
February2.570
March4.5135
April6.5190
May8250
June8235
July7.5240
August6.5210
September5155
October390
November1.540
December130
Year4.61685

The sea temperature in Gothenburg is a bit higher than in Stockholm.
Gothenburg - Sea temperature
MonthCelsius (°C)Fahrenheit (°F)
January439
February337
March338
April643
May1151
June1558
July1763
August1864
September1559
October1253
November948
December542
Year9.849.6

Malmo

In the far south, in Scania (see Helsingborg, Kristianstad, Malmö), the climate shows the influence of the ocean as well, but it is even milder: the average temperatures in January and February are just above the freezing point, while summers are relatively cool. Here too, there is often cloudiness, wind, and rain throughout the year. Here are the average temperatures of Malmö.
Malmo - Average temperatures (1991-2020)
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January-131303833.9
February-141.4313834.5
March063.4324438
April4127.9385446.2
May81712.4466354.3
June112015.8526960.4
July142318.2577364.8
August142218577264.5
September111814.3516457.7
October7129.6445449.3
November385.4384641.8
December042.4334036.4
Year5.812.69.242.554.748.5

In Malmo, which is located east of the Danish islands, 615 mm (24.2 in) of rain or snow fall per year. Here is the average precipitation.
Malmo - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January50210
February351.48
March351.48
April301.26
May401.67
June602.49
July602.48
August702.810
September5028
October602.410
November552.211
December602.412
Year61524.2107

The sea temperature in Malmo is similar to that of Gothenburg, and reaches 18 °C (64 °F) in August.
Malmo - Sea temperature
MonthCelsius (°C)Fahrenheit (°F)
January338
February337
March338
April642
May1049
June1457
July1763
August1864
September1660
October1253
November847
December541
Year9.649.3

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 See also (cities or regions):

 Falun
 Gävle
 Gothenburg
 Gotland
 Halmstad
 Haparanda
 Helsingborg
 Jönköping
 Kalmar
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 Karlstad
 Kiruna
 Kristianstad
 Linköping
 Lulea
 Malmo
 Norrköping
 Öland
 Örebro
 Ostersund
 Pajala
 Stockholm
 Sundsvall
 Umea
 Uppsala
 Vasteras
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