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Weather in Finland in December – is it worth traveling to?

Is the weather good for travel in December? Find out what the weather is like in Finland to plan your trip accordingly.
Check flight prices to Finland on Avionero:
December

Is the weather good in Finland in December 2024?

OK Weather
Cool
☁️
Cloudy

For the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in Finland during December have been around -3°C.

In Finland the temperature rarely varies more than seven degrees between the different parts with the highest temperature -3°C in Turku to -6°C in Ivalo. So you should be able to pack for similar conditions wherever you go in the country.

Temperature, wind and humidity in December

Average
Helsinki
Ivalo
Rovaniemi
Turku
Vaasa
Kokkola
Kuopio
Oulu
Tampere
☀️
-3°C
Avg. max. temperature
-37°C
Min.
+11°C
Max.
12 mm
Total precipitation
88%
Avg. humidity
3 m/s
Avg. wind
2 ☀️
Sunny Days
22 ⛅️
Cloudy
1 🌦
Rainy
Our opinion: Finland has OK weather in December.
Finland in December – what city is the…
  • rainiest? Turku, with an average of 1 mm of rain and humidity of 89%;
  • warmest? Turku, with daytime temperatures averaging +1°C;
  • windiest? Helsinki, with an average of 4 m/s;
  • coolest? Ivalo, with daytime temperatures averaging -6°C;

How good is the weather in Finland in December?

During December, the Finland is characterized by variable weather with air pressure around 1009 HPa and therefore elements of sun, rain, and wind – with a little extra emphasis on the latter two. The humidity in December ranges between 85% in Ivalo and 90% in Tampere.

How warm is it in Finland during December?

Variable weather with sun, rain and wind: -3°C in average daily temperature.

This is how hot it usually is in December

The average daily temperatures above don't tell you everything about how hot it can be in Finland. For example, cold nights can make a big difference for those staying in tents or unheated houses. Extra hot days, on the other hand, can make a big difference for those who plan to engage in demanding physical training or competition. So here are some more temperatures for December:
Average
Helsinki
Ivalo
Rovaniemi
Turku
Vaasa
Kokkola
Kuopio
Oulu
Tampere
  • Average maximum temperature for the month: -3°C;
  • Average minimum temperature for the month: -7°C;
  • Highest monthly temperature: 0°C;
  • Lowest monthly temperature: -9°C;

Monthly temperatures:

Average
Helsinki
Ivalo
Rovaniemi
Turku
Vaasa
Kokkola
Kuopio
Oulu
Tampere
  • Warmest: July with an average +20°C during the day;
  • Coldest: January with an average -5°C of the day;
  • Hottest month in hottest city: July in Turku;
  • Coldest month in coolest city: January in Ivalo;

Winds in Finland during December

Wind speed in Finland in December based on historical data:
Average
Helsinki
Ivalo
Rovaniemi
Turku
Vaasa
Kokkola
Kuopio
Oulu
Tampere

December tends to offer light winds averaging 3 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.

Comparison between cities in December:

  • Highest average wind speed: Oulu with 3 m/s;
  • Lowest average wind speed: Ivalo with 2 m/s;
  • Windiest day of the month: Helsinki with 6 m/s;
  • The least windy day of the month: Ivalo with 2 m/s;

Humidity and precipitation in Finland in December

Amount of rainfall in mm during December in Finland based on historical data:
Average
Helsinki
Ivalo
Rovaniemi
Turku
Vaasa
Kokkola
Kuopio
Oulu
Tampere
December tends to be an extremely humid month with 79% humidity and 36 mm rainfall. In general the humidity tends to be a little lower in mountainous regions and more humid closer to water.

Comparison between cities in December:

Average
Helsinki
Ivalo
Rovaniemi
Turku
Vaasa
Kokkola
Kuopio
Oulu
Tampere
  • Highest average rainfall: Turku with 27 mm;
  • Lowest average rainfall: Ivalo with 1 mm;
  • Most number of rainy days: Turku with 3 rainy days;
  • Least number of rainy days: Ivalo with 0 rainy days;
  • Highest risk of rain during the day: Turku with 10%;
  • Least risk of rain during the day: Ivalo with 0%;
  • Highest average humidity: Tampere with 90%;
  • Lowest average humidity: Ivalo with 85%;

Snow

Amount of snow in mm. during December in Finland based on historical data:
Average
Helsinki
Ivalo
Rovaniemi
Turku
Vaasa
Kokkola
Kuopio
Oulu
Tampere
Total snow in December is about 15 mm, with a 7% chance of snow on a typical day.

Comparison between cities in December:

Average
Helsinki
Ivalo
Rovaniemi
Turku
Vaasa
Kokkola
Kuopio
Oulu
Tampere
  • Highest average snowfall: Kuopio with 42 mm;
  • Lowest average snowfall: Ivalo with 25 mm;
  • Most number of snowy days: Kuopio with 6 snowy days;
  • Least number of snowy days: Ivalo with 4 snowy days;
  • Highest chance of snow during the day: Kuopio with 19%;
  • Least chance of snow during the day: Ivalo with 13%;

Tips for traveling to Finland in December

Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for Finland? Activities, weather, and clothing are closely linked. In addition, it's important to pack only what you really need so you don't have to worry about heavy packing or paying extra baggage fees.

Here is some advice on what to pack and what kind of activities you can do in the Finland based on the weather that December is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.

Cloudy, cool weather with light winds and very high humidity in December
Avionero

Pack right for December

The weather makes a difference when it comes to packing - especially which items should go in your suitcase. The tips below are designed to help you pack light and right without carrying more than necessary.
  • When it’s cold you need warm clothes such as a hat, gloves and scarf. If you plan on varied activities it might be a good idea to pack flexible clothing and wear multiple layers, as you can then easily adapt and regulate the temperature. For example you may want to wear cotton closest to the body, covered by a waterproof layer of wool or synthetics and then some warm layer of for example wool, fleece or down.
  • Light winds are probably most comfortable in hot weather but is cooling in cool and cold weather. If it is hot (when the air temperature is about 30 degrees), the wind can have a warming effect. A thin, windproof jacket and long trousers help to counteract these effects.
  • High humidity means that the air conducts heat to and from the skin more easily. For example, if the air is hot (above skin temperature), it will be harder to stay cool. On the other hand, if the air is cool or cold, it is more difficult to stay warm. In high humidity, the choice of clothing makes less of a difference. However, your physical activity plays a bigger role.

FAQ

Frequently asked questions about the weather in Finland in December:

What can you do outside when it's warm in Finland?

Bathing and sunbathing can be suitable. Warm (but not hot) days are also good for activities that are not so physically demanding: sightseeing on foot, by boat, on a scooter, camel riding. You can also exercise easily as long as you make sure to cool down and quench thirst.

Is December a good time to visit Finland?

It’s always a good time to visit Finland, but the weather is changeable in December, so plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and exploring, and pack for every eventuality.

Monthly weather in Finland

Source of the data

For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in Finland, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2022.

For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.