Lapland Climate and Weather

Lapland is located in the northernmost reaches of Europe, close to the North Pole. As such, it can get very cold up there! There are a number of factors affecting the weather in Lapland, including the time of the year, but it should be remembered that no matter what time you decide to visit, the weather is most likely going to drop to sub-zero temperatures.

During winter, you are likely to experience very odd levels of sunlight throughout. For example, one day you might find yourself with just four hours of light on your hands, and another you might get fourteen. However, it is important to remember that in summer, you might not get any twilight at all. This is important because I don’t want to be the one suffering from a lack of sleep due to the sun being up at three in the morning, and I doubt you do either.

The Lapland climate and weather can be quite extreme for those not used to near-polar conditions. The temperature can drop as low as -22º F (-30º C) and snow depth can be as great as almost 30 inches (75 cm) in April. However, the air in Lapland is usually very dry and crisp, meaning that you may not feel the cold as much as you would think.

Many agree that the best time to visit Lapland is in the winter. Winter is the best time to experience all that Lapland has to offer, from its frozen lakes to snow-covered forests. Summertime in Lapland is still cold, but the sun is up for most of the day (the midnight sun effect) and the itikka mosquitoes can be out in full force. In addition, if you are looking for a truly authentic Lapland ‘white Christmas’, winter time is your only option.