Climate - Umea (Sweden)

The climate of Umea is cold continental, with freezing winters and mild summers.
The city is located near the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, in the province of Västerbotten, at the 63rd parallel.
The Ume River, after passing through the city, widens into a fjord before flowing into the sea. In winter, the sea can sometimes freeze, especially inside the fjord, while in the open sea, this happens more easily in the northern part of the Gulf of Bothnia. It is useful to recall that the sea water freezes at about -2 °C (28.5 °F).
The white nights, when the sun sets but it doesn't get completely dark even at midnight, occur from April 29th to August 15th.
In winter, there can be cold spells of arctic origin. The coldest record is -38 °C (-36.4 °F) and was set in December 1978.
In summer, the temperature can reach 28/30 °C (82/86 °F) on the hottest days, but this happens rarely.
In summer, also due to the length of the days, the sunshine amount is quite good, and definitely better than in Norway. The highest record is 32 °C (89.6 °F) and was set in July 2014.

Best Time

The best time to visit Umea 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.

Umea - Climate data

In Umea, the average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of -6.8 °C (19.8 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 15.8 °C (60.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Umea, precipitation amounts to 635 millimeters (25 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 80 mm (3.1 in) in the wettest one (August). Here is the average precipitation.
At Umea, the sea temperature ranges from 0.5 °C (33 °F) in February, March to 15.5 °C (60 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
In Umea, there are on average around 1885 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Umea - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Umea is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -6.5 °C (20 °F), with a minimum of -10.4 °C (13.2 °F) and a maximum of -2.6 °C (27.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -23.5 °C (-10.5 °F). However, it dropped to -35.1 °C (-31.2 °F) in January 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it reached 8.7 °C (47.7 °F) in January 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 5 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are short.
There is an average of 1 hour of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 18% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 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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In February, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Umea is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -6.8 °C (20 °F), with a minimum of -11 °C (12.2 °F) and a maximum of -2.5 °C (27.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -24 °C (-11 °F). However, it dropped to -32.6 °C (-26.7 °F) in February 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it reached 9 °C (48.2 °F) in February 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 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 March, the weather in Umea is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -2.9 °C (27 °F), with a minimum of -7.4 °C (18.7 °F) and a maximum of 1.6 °C (34.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -20 °C (-3.5 °F). However, it dropped to -28.9 °C (-20 °F) in March 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it reached 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 0.5 °C (32.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Umea is usually cold. The average temperature is of 2.0 °C (36 °F), with a minimum of -2.6 °C (27.4 °F) and a maximum of 6.6 °C (43.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10 °C (13.5 °F). However, it dropped to -19.2 °C (-2.6 °F) in April 2012.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it reached 20.6 °C (69.1 °F) in April 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Umea is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.6 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 2.2 °C (35.9 °F) and a maximum of 13 °C (55.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7 °C (19.4 °F) in May 2017.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in May 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 18 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Umea is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.5 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 7.2 °C (44.9 °F) and a maximum of 17.9 °C (64.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning 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 June 2009.
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 30.1 °C (86.2 °F) in June 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 20 hours and 35 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 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
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 July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Umea is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.8 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 10.8 °C (51.4 °F) and a maximum of 20.9 °C (69.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in July 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 32.2 °C (90 °F) in July 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 19 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 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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In August, the weather in Umea is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.4 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) and a maximum of 19.2 °C (66.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -2 °C (28.4 °F) in August 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in August 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 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 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Umea is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.7 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 5.1 °C (41.1 °F) and a maximum of 14.3 °C (57.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -8.5 °C (16.7 °F) in September 2014.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (67.5 °F). However, it reached 22.5 °C (72.5 °F) in September 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 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 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Umea is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.6 °C (38 °F), with a minimum of -0.1 °C (31.9 °F) and a maximum of 7.2 °C (44.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10 °C (13.5 °F). However, it dropped to -20.2 °C (-4.4 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in October 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% 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 8.5 °C (47 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Umea is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -1.2 °C (30 °F), with a minimum of -4.2 °C (24.5 °F) and a maximum of 1.8 °C (35.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -15.5 °C (4.5 °F). However, it dropped to -23.5 °C (-10.3 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it reached 13.1 °C (55.6 °F) in November 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 6 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 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 Umea is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -4.5 °C (24 °F), with a minimum of -8.1 °C (17.3 °F) and a maximum of -0.9 °C (30.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -20 °C (-3.5 °F). However, it dropped to -30 °C (-22 °F) in December 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it reached 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) in December 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 4 hours and 30 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 19% of the time.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3 °C (37 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.