Vital Statistics | Weather | Food | Seasons | Nuisances | Why we love Finland

About the Finnish Seasons

Finland enjoys 4 distinct seasons, each of which brings something new for the nature lover.

Spring heralds the reawakening of nature and the melting of the snow and ice-covered lakes. Along with the nature, Finnish cultural life also springs into life as towns and villages take advantage of the better weather to hold festivals of all kinds.

Spring begins in April, except in Lapland , where it does not begin until early May.

For the real growing season to begin the snow must melt; when this happens depends on the amount of snow and the proximity to the sea. Most areas lose their snow cover within a couple of weeks of the beginning of spring.

The lakes usually become ice free soon after the growing season begins in April in south-western Finland , in May in the interior, and in June in Lapland .

Summer means light nights, warm days and very rapid growth; market stalls are heavy with fruit and vegetables and you will see berries and mushrooms in the forest. By July, the shallow lakes and equally shallow Baltic Sea warm up to between 20 ° C and 25 ° C, despite being covered in ice until the end of April. Summer in Finland is paradise for those who love being in, on or near water as it is readily accessible, warm and in most areas the water is shallow and calm.

The summer months enjoy average temperatures around 23 ° C in the south, with warm periods over 30 ° and cooler air sometimes pushing the temperatures down to 13-14 ° .

Midsummer until early August is the main holiday period in Finland and most people spend several weeks in the countryside. Even though this is the peak holiday season, you will not see crowds, even in popular resorts. That's another reason why we love Finland !

The autumn brings dramatic colour as the leaves turn yellow, red, orange and brown, as night temperatures fall and the days are reasonably warm. This season is wonderful for walking and other outdoor activities. It also the season for lovers of wild food as many of the coastal waters teem with fish, huntsman go after elk, wild birds and other game and mushroom and berry hunters search the forest floor.

Autumn begins around the last week of August in northern Finland and about one month later in southwestern Finland .

Winter brings snow to the frozen lakes and sea. Despite the short days, the white snow brightens the landscape and provides opportunities for many outdoor activities from skiing to ice fishing. Witnessing a white and frozen winterscape is one of the most unique and beautiful experiences we know; and provided you have enough clothes spending your days outside is no problem.