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Climate - Sweden


Average weather, temperature, rainfall, when to go, what to pack

Flag - Sweden

Map - Sweden


Index


  • Introduction
  • Center-north - Kiruna, Lulea, Ostersund
  • South - Stockholm, Malmo, Gothenburg
  • Best Time
  • What to pack

Introduction



Sweden, a country of northern Europe, is very extended in latitude and therefore 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: it is equal to or lower than 500 millimeters (20 inches) per year in Lapland (also because of the cold that lasts for many months a year), it hovers around 500/600 mm (20/23.5 in) in much of the country, while it exceeds these values in the ridge of the Scandinavian Alps, where it can even surpass 1,500 mm (60 in) per year, and along the southwestern coast, which is exposed to Atlantic currents.
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, they are around 0 °C (32 °F) in January and February in the far south and around -1.5 °C (29 °F) in Stockholm, while it's around -10 °C (14 °F) in the north-central part and -15 °C (5 °F) in the far north. 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 18/21 °C (64/70 °F), and sometimes even hot, while nights remain very cool, around 10 °C (50 °F) or below. Daytime temperatures are more or less the same throughout the country, at least at sea level, while in cities located at a higher altitude, such as Kiruna (550 meters or 1,800 feet) and Östersund (350 meters or 1,100 feet), the temperatures are slightly lower.
The peaks of summer heat are similar across the country as well, around 28/32 °C (82/90 °F); hot periods 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
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January-19-9-14-2166.9
February-17-7-12.211910
March-13-2-7.392918.9
April-64-0.8223930.5
May0105.4335141.7
June61610.6426051.1
July92014.4496758
August71711.8446253.2
September2116.6365243.9
October-43-0.6253730.9
November-12-3-7.5112618.5
December-16-6-10.942112.4
Year-54.4-0.322.94031.5

In Kiruna, precipitation amounts to 590 mm (23 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
January401.6
February301.2
March200.8
April200.8
May451.8
June702.8
July1003.9
August702.8
September652.6
October401.6
November401.6
December401.6
Year59023.2

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 Lulea, 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. During the most intense cold spells, the temperature from November to March can drop below -30 °C (-22).
Lulea - Average temperatures
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January-13-5-9.282215.3
February-13-5-8.982416
March-90-4.4163224.2
April-361.4274234.5
May3127.8385446
June91713486355.5
July132116.8556962.2
August111915526658.9
September6139.8435649.7
October062.9324337.2
November-60-2.5223327.5
December-10-3-6.3142720.7
Year-0.86.9330.544.437.5

In Lulea, precipitation amounts to 610 mm (24 inches) per year, with a maximum in July and August.
Lulea - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January602.4
February351.4
March301.2
April351.4
May451.8
June652.6
July652.6
August702.8
September652.6
October451.8
November552.2
December552.2
Year61024

In the northernmost part of the Gulf of Bothnia, the sea is often frozen in winter, while it remains cold even in summer, since it reaches at most 15 °C (59 °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
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January-9-3-6.2152620.8
February-8-2-5.5172822.1
March-61-2.1223528.2
April-173.2314537.8
May4138.4395547.1
June81612.2466254
July112015.4526759.8
August101814516457.3
September7139.8445549.7
October264354439.2
November-31-1.2263429.9
December-7-1-4203024.9
Year0.77.54.0533.245.539.5

In Östersund, precipitation amounts to 525 mm (20.5 inches) per year, with a maximum in July and August.
Ostersund - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January301.215
February25113
March25113
April301.211
May351.411
June602.412
July803.115
August602.414
September602.416
October451.815
November351.414
December401.616
Year52520.7165

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.
Stockholm - Average temperatures
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January-40-1.6253329.1
February-41-1.6253329
March-241.2293934.2
April2106365042.8
May71611.7456253.1
June112015.7526860.3
July142318.8587365.8
August142117.6577163.7
September101612.7496054.9
October6107.7425045.9
November153344137.4
December-22-0.3283531.5
Year4.510.77.640.151.345.5

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
January401.69
February2517
March301.27
April301.26
May301.26
June552.29
July652.69
August602.49
September5028
October5029
November451.810
December451.810
Year53020.999

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
January1.540
February2.570
March4.5135
April6185
May9275
June9.5290
July8.5260
August7220
September5155
October3100
November255
December135
Year51820

The sea temperature in Stockholm, on the south-east coast, is close to freezing for a few months, 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 just below 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
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January-31-1273430.2
February-41-1.5253429.3
March-152304135.6
April2106365042.8
May71611.5456152.7
June112015.5526859.9
July132117557062.6
August122116.5547061.7
September91612.5486154.5
October6129435448.2
November264364339.2
December-230.5283732.9
Year4.411.17.739.951.946

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 760 mm (30 in), with a maximum in summer and autumn. Here is the average precipitation.
Gothenburg - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January602.417
February401.613
March50214
April401.612
May50212
June602.412
July702.813
August75314
September803.115
October853.316
November803.117
December702.816
Year76029.9171

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
March5.5165
April7210
May7.5240
June8.5255
July7.5230
August6.5200
September5.5165
October3100
November1.545
December135
Year4.81755

The sea temperature in Gothenburg is a bit higher than in Stockholm, and reaches 18 °C (64 °F) in August.
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
MonthMin (°C)Max (°C)Mean (°C)Min (°F)Max (°F)Mean (°F)
January-130.7303733.4
February-130.8303733.4
March063.1334337.6
April3117.4385345.3
May81712.2466254
June112015.4526759.7
July142218577264.5
August142217.8577164
September101713.9516357
October7129.6445449.2
November375.2384541.3
December041.9323935.4
Year5.7128.8542.353.748

In Malmo, 605 mm (24 in) of rain or snow fall per year, with a maximum in summer and autumn. Here is the average precipitation.
Malmo - Average precipitation
MonthMillimetersInchesDays
January50217
February301.213
March401.614
April401.612
May401.612
June50212
July602.414
August602.413
September602.414
October552.215
November602.417
December602.416
Year60523.8169

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

Best Time



The best time to visit Sweden is summer, from June to August. June is the month with the longest days, with the midnight sun in the north and the white nights (i.e. midnight twilight) in the south, but July is the warmest month. By mid-August, both the increase in rainfall and the decrease in temperature show how soon the summer tends to decline at these latitudes.
As mentioned, the sea is a bit cold for swimming even in summer.

If you want to visit Sweden in its winter appearance, remember that in February the days are longer than in December and January (when they are very short), while in March, not only the days are even longer but also the temperatures are less cold, although they are usually still below freezing, and therefore with snow on the ground, at least in the north-central part. However, the more daring traveller may search precisely this kind of atmosphere, and maybe plan a Christmas trip to Lapland, with the omnipresent darkness, lightened at times by the aurora borealis.
For a ski holiday too, March is preferable to the winter months. In June, in the northernmost mountain resorts, you can even ski with the midnight sun.

What to pack



In winter: pack very warm clothes, especially for the interior and the north: a fleece, a down jacket, a hat, gloves, a scarf; for Stockholm and the south, you can add a raincoat or umbrella.
In summer: pack spring/autumn clothes, being ready to add or remove the outer layer, T-shirts, but also long pants, a jacket, a sweatshirt or sweater; a raincoat or umbrella. Warmer clothes for the mountains.

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 See also (cities or regions):

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

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