Finland Guide
Weather
In summer, regarded as being from June to early September, Helsinki, the south and the Lake Region enjoy mild and sunny weather, while areas further north are on the whole cooler – though recent years have experienced significant variation in the length and intensity of the warm season. On average, temperatures are usually 18–24°C (65–75°F), sometimes reaching 32°C (90°F) in the daytime, but they drop swiftly in the evening, when you'll need a light jacket. The north is always a few degrees cooler and often quite cold at night, so carry a thick jumper at least. The midnight sun can be seen from Rovaniemi northwards for two months over midsummer; the rest of the country experiences a night-long twilight from mid-June to mid-July.
Winter, roughly from late October to early April in the south, plus a few weeks more on either side in the north, is painfully cold. Helsinki generally fluctuates between 0°C and -20°C (32°F and -4°F), the harshest months being January and February; in the north it's even colder, with just a few hours of daylight; and in the extreme north the sun doesn't rise at all. The snow cover generally lasts from November to March in the south, a few weeks longer in the north. On the plus side, Finland copes easily with low temperatures and transport is rarely disrupted.
Thanks to its relatively flat terrain, Finland is one of the most enjoyable countries in Scandinavia to go hiking, one of the Finns' favourite pastimes. The best time for hiking is from May to September in the south and from June to September in the north. You'll need a good-quality tent, a warm sleeping bag, rainwear, spare warm clothing, thick-soled waterproof boots, mosquito repellent, a compass and detailed maps, all of which can be bought in tourist centres close to the hiking routes.