Climate in Stockholm (Sweden)

In Stockholm, the capital of Sweden, the climate is Baltic, that is, moderately continental, with cold winters, during which the average temperature is a few degrees below freezing, and mild to pleasantly warm summers.
The city is located in south-central Sweden, a short distance from the Baltic coast, but is surrounded by water, as it is located in an area of fjords, islands and lakes.
Given the high latitude, the city is exposed to cold air outbreaks of Arctic or Siberian origin, but it can also receive mild Atlantic currents, and in winter it is not always snow-covered.
Here are the average temperatures at the Bromma airport.

Precipitation is well distributed throughout the year, but it is not abundant, as it amounts to 525 millimeters (20.7 inches) per year. Atlantic fronts can pass over the city even in summer. Here is the average precipitation.

Winter is cold: the average temperature drops below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) from December to February, and it typically exceeds the freezing point in March. However, the weather varies greatly depending on weather situation: when mild currents from the Atlantic Ocean prevail, the temperature can exceed freezing by a few degrees even in winter, and rain can fall instead of snow.
In other periods, when an anticyclone of polar or Siberian origin moves over the city, the temperature sinks below freezing, down to -20 °C (-4 °F) and more. The coldest record is -29.1 °C (-20.4 °F) and was set in January 1979.

In the short spring, in April and May, the weather is variable, and there can be the first mild days, but also the return of cold weather. It can still snow in late April, and it can still get cold in May, but at other times, it can already get warm, sometimes in late April, but more often in the second half of May, when an anticyclone can move over Scandinavia, bringing a few early summery days.

Summer, from June to August, is a mild or pleasantly warm season, with highs around 22/23 °C (72/73 °F) in July and August, and very long days. June is a bit cooler, but it has the longest days of the year.
Sometimes there can be hot periods, usually of short duration, in which the temperature reaches 28/30 °C (82/86 °F). The highest record is 35.1 °C (95.2 °F) and was set in August 1975. Due to global warming, hot periods are becoming more frequent. In July 2018, there were 16 days with a maximum equal to or above 28 °C (82.5 °C), and it reached 32 °C (89.5 °C).
However, sometimes at night, it can be very cool, or even cold, since the temperature can drop below 10 °C (50 °F) even in this season.

Autumn, from September to November, is cool and quite rainy as early as in September, and then gradually becomes more cold and gray; also, the days shorten rapidly. In November, the temperature is just above freezing, and in this month, typically the first snowfalls occur.



Stockholm receives 1,900 hours of sunshine per year. The amount of sunshine is acceptable from April to August, when the sun shines roughly half the time, while it is low from November to January, when the sun is rarely seen. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

As regards to the length of the days, given the northern latitude (59°20'N), the days are very short from November to January, while in February, which is as cold as January and can sometimes be even colder, the city becomes a bit brighter. On December 21, the shortest day of the year, the sun rises at 8:45 am and sets at 2:50 pm. One month later, on January 21, it rises at 8:20 am and sets at 3:35 pm. On February 21, it rises at 7:10 am and sets at 4:55 pm.
On June 21, the longest day of the year, the sun rises at 3:31 am and sets at 10:08 pm. From around May 15 to July 29, the white nights occur, when it doesn't get completely dark even at midnight.

The sea is Stockholm is cold all year round: it reaches at most 16 °C (61 °F) in July and 17 °C (63 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Stockholm is summer, from June to August: it's generally a pleasant period, although it can sometimes rain. The warmest month is July, but June is usually the sunniest month, and has the longest days (since the summer solstice is on June 21). However, it's better to bring some warm clothes also in summer, like a jacket or sweater for the evening or for any cool days.

Stockholm - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -1.8 °C (29 °F), with a minimum of -4.5 °C (23.9 °F) and a maximum of 1 °C (33.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -15 °C (5.5 °F). However, it dropped to -24.7 °C (-12.5 °F) in January 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it reached 11.5 °C (52.7 °F) in January 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 20% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3 °C (37 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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February, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -1.9 °C (29 °F), with a minimum of -5.1 °C (22.8 °F) and a maximum of 1.3 °C (34.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -14.5 °C (6 °F). However, it dropped to -23.6 °C (-10.5 °F) in February 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). However, it reached 12.3 °C (54.1 °F) in February 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 2 °C (35 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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March is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 1.0 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -2.9 °C (26.9 °F) and a maximum of 5 °C (40.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11.5 °C (11.5 °F). However, it dropped to -23.5 °C (-10.3 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it reached 18 °C (64.4 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 1.5 °C (35 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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April is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.8 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 0.7 °C (33.2 °F) and a maximum of 10.9 °C (51.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (22.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.1 °C (15.6 °F) in April 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in April 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
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.

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May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.8 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 5.3 °C (41.5 °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 -1 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.7 °C (23.5 °F) in May 2017.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 28.6 °C (83.5 °F) in May 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5.5 °C (42 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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June is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.2 °C (59 °F), with a minimum of 10 °C (50.1 °F) and a maximum of 20.4 °C (68.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1.9 °C (35.4 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80.5 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in June 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 18 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are very long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (51.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.2 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 13.2 °C (55.7 °F) and a maximum of 23.3 °C (73.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84.5 °F). However, it reached 34.2 °C (93.6 °F) in July 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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August is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.2 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 12.3 °C (54.2 °F) and a maximum of 22 °C (71.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.6 °C (36.7 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in August 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17 °C (62.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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September is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.5 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.5 °F) and a maximum of 16.9 °C (62.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F) in September 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 26 °C (78.8 °F) in September 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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October is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.0 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 3.6 °C (38.4 °F) and a maximum of 10.4 °C (50.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it reached 20.7 °C (69.3 °F) in October 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (49.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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November is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 2.9 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of 0.3 °C (32.6 °F) and a maximum of 5.4 °C (41.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19 °F). However, it dropped to -14 °C (6.8 °F) in November 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it reached 15.1 °C (59.2 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 20% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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December is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -0.2 °C (32 °F), with a minimum of -2.8 °C (27 °F) and a maximum of 2.5 °C (36.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11.5 °C (11 °F). However, it dropped to -24 °C (-11.2 °F) in December 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it reached 16.5 °C (61.7 °F) in December 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 6 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There is an average of 1 hour of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 17% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4.5 °C (39.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.