Helsinki, Finland Climate & Monthly Averages
The climate of Helsinki
Cold is the baseline in Helsinki, not the exception. Night-time lows sit at or below freezing in 4 months of the year, and the warmest month, July, still only averages 69°F (20°C) by day. January runs to 22°F (-6°C) after dark.
Climate quick facts
- Hottest month: July - highs near 69°F (20°C)
- Coldest month: January - highs near 30°F (-1°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 88°F (31°C) high · -14°F (-26°C) low
- Wettest month: August (13 rainy days) · Sunniest: June (14.7 h sun/day)
- Climate type: humid continental
- Annual swing: 21°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 6°C
- Snow: about 34 days a year
- Months with freezing average lows: 4
- Average humidity: 80%
Temperatures through the year
January bottoms out at 30°F (-1°C) in daylight, 22°F (-6°C) after dark. July is the warm end of the year, averaging 69°F (20°C) by day and 57°F (14°C) overnight. The gridded 2015-2024 daily record for this location tops out at 88°F (31°C) and bottoms at -14°F (-26°C) - decade extremes, not all-time station records. Precipitation concentrates in August - 3.3 inches (83 mm) on 13 days - and thins out by April.
Rain, sun and snow
Snow falls on roughly 34 days a year, mostly November through April. Relative humidity averages 80% across the year, more humid than roughly 84% of the cities we track. Overnight lows average at or below freezing for 4 months, December through March. Sunshine averages 7.5 hours a day over the year - duller than all but 7% of the 3496 cities in our dataset, peaking in June at 14.7 hours.
How Helsinki compares
- Helsinki averages 44°F (7°C) across the year - cooler than all but 3% of the 3496 cities we track.
- Afternoons run 6°C above the following night - a flatter daily curve than all but 6% of the 3496 cities we track.
Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30° | 22° | 14 | 2.7 in | 1.4 h/day | 86% |
| February | 31° | 23° | 12 | 2.5 in | 3.6 h/day | 86% |
| March | 35° | 26° | 11 | 1.8 in | 6.6 h/day | 83% |
| April | 45° | 33° | 10 | 1.8 in | 9.9 h/day | 76% |
| May | 57° | 43° | 9 | 1.9 in | 13.0 h/day | 70% |
| June | 66° | 53° | 10 | 2.2 in | 14.7 h/day | 70% |
| July | 69° | 57° | 13 | 3.1 in | 13.3 h/day | 76% |
| August | 68° | 57° | 13 | 3.3 in | 11.2 h/day | 79% |
| September | 60° | 51° | 11 | 2.7 in | 8.2 h/day | 81% |
| October | 48° | 40° | 13 | 3.1 in | 4.8 h/day | 84% |
| November | 40° | 34° | 14 | 3.1 in | 2.0 h/day | 87% |
| December | 34° | 28° | 14 | 2.6 in | 1.3 h/day | 87% |
Helsinki month by month
Helsinki weather in January
January brings highs around 30°F (-1°C), lows near 22°F (-6°C), about 14 wet days and roughly 9 snowy days - typically the coldest month of the year in Helsinki.
Helsinki weather in February
February brings highs around 31°F (0°C), lows near 23°F (-5°C), about 12 wet days and roughly 8 snowy days.
Helsinki weather in March
March brings highs around 35°F (2°C), lows near 26°F (-4°C), about 11 wet days and roughly 5 snowy days.
Helsinki weather in April
April brings highs around 45°F (7°C), lows near 33°F (0°C), about 10 wet days and roughly 2 snowy days - typically the driest month of the year in Helsinki.
Helsinki weather in May
May brings highs around 57°F (14°C), lows near 43°F (6°C), about 9 wet days.
Helsinki weather in June
June brings highs around 66°F (19°C), lows near 53°F (12°C), about 10 wet days - typically the sunniest month of the year in Helsinki.
Helsinki weather in July
July brings highs around 69°F (20°C), lows near 57°F (14°C), about 13 wet days - typically the hottest month of the year in Helsinki.
Helsinki weather in August
August brings highs around 68°F (20°C), lows near 57°F (14°C), about 13 wet days - typically the wettest month of the year in Helsinki.
Helsinki weather in September
September brings highs around 60°F (15°C), lows near 51°F (10°C), about 11 wet days.
Helsinki weather in October
October brings highs around 48°F (9°C), lows near 40°F (5°C), about 13 wet days.
Helsinki weather in November
November brings highs around 40°F (4°C), lows near 34°F (1°C), about 14 wet days and roughly 4 snowy days.
Helsinki weather in December
December brings highs around 34°F (1°C), lows near 28°F (-2°C), about 14 wet days and roughly 6 snowy days.
Seasons in Helsinki
Spring (March through May)
Spring in Helsinki runs cold, with daytime highs averaging 46°F (8°C) and nights around 34°F (1°C); expect showers on roughly 30 days across the season, plus about 7 snowy days.
Summer (June through August)
Through summer, Helsinki stays on the cool side of mild: 68°F (20°C) by day, 56°F (13°C) after dark, and rain falls on around 36 of the 90 days. Daylight is generous - around 13.1 hours of sun a day.
Fall (September through November)
Fall in Helsinki is chilly, with daytime highs averaging 49°F (10°C) and nights around 42°F (5°C); rain falls on around 38 of the 90 days, plus about 4 snowy days.
Winter (December through February)
Winter is frigid here - highs near 32°F (0°C), nights near 24°F (-4°C), and rain falls on around 40 of the 90 days, plus about 23 snowy days. Sun is scarce, averaging 2.1 hours a day. Wind sharpens cold like this considerably; pair the forecast winds with the wind speed converter to judge exposed conditions.
Climate questions, answered
How much sun does Helsinki get?
How warm is Helsinki on average?
Is Helsinki warmer or cooler than most cities?
How many rainy days does Helsinki get in a year?
Best time to visit Helsinki
The best time to visit Helsinki is generally May to September, when these are the warmest and brightest weeks of the year. Daytime temperatures in that window sit near 64°F (18°C), with rain on about 11 days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in May.
Pack for Helsinki with a heavy insulated coat, hat and gloves for winter and proper waterproofs rather than an umbrella - wet days are the norm here. July nights average 57°F (14°C), so evenings rarely match the afternoons.
Helsinki temperature records (2015-2024)
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ.