About Finland
| General information |
Climate
Country of the midnight sun and polar nights
Like many other European countries and much of the United States, Finland enjoys a change of seasons. Characterized by short but warm summers and mystical snow covered winters, Finland’s unique climate attracts many tourists each year.
Exotic arctic activities such as reindeer and snowmobile safaris have helped winter emerge as the most popular tourism period for visiting foreigners. Many flock to northern and eastern Finland on clear winter nights in hopes of catching a glimpse of beautiful Aurora Borealis.
The snow cover is deepest around mid-March with an average of 23.6 to 35.4 inches (60 to 90 cm) in eastern and northern Finland and 7.9 to 11.8 inches (20 to 30 cm) in southwestern parts of the country. The lakes freeze over in late November and early December, and in severe winters, the Baltic Sea may ice over almost completely.
Summer usually begins in late May in southern Finland and lasts until mid-September. The regions north of the Arctic Circle are characterized by polar days, or more romantically the midnight sun, when the sun does not set at all. Northernmost parts of Finland have 73 such days each year.
Most Finns try to begin their summer holiday just before midsummer. This is the time of the mythical Juhannus - the feast of summer solstice. For visitors and Finns alike, this is the perfect time of year to enjoy the pleasures of jumping into the lukewarm waters of the lake after sauna.
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Weather forecast by the Meteorological Institute of Finland |
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Festivals throughout the year |
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Tourism information for Americans |
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| Last update 11.6.2007 |
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