Lapland is tucked away in the northernmost region of Finland, in the Arctic Circle, bordering Norway, Sweden, Russia and the Baltic Sea.
This vast wilderness is sparsely populated, but is a popular holiday destination in winter, when tourists flock to the snowy ski resorts and Christmas-themed resorts.
Cold Winters With Mild Summers
With its far northerly position, the region experiences something between a subarctic and continental climate. Summers here are relatively mild while winters are cold and snowy.
Although it is an arctic region, Lapland is not as cold as other areas of similar latitude. The weather in Finland stays quite mild thanks to the influence of the North Atlantic Current, the Baltic Sea and the Gulf Stream close by.
The Scandinavian Mountains calm rainfall and storms that come from the Atlantic Ocean. However, throughout every season, the weather can change drastically at any time. Blustery snowstorms and a drop in temperature can occur unexpectedly.
Can You See The Northern Lights in Lapland?
Lapland is one of the best places on the globe to see the Northern Lights (Aurora Borealis). It's quite a difficult phenomenon to predict but the best months to go for it are September, October, February, and March. The Northern Lights appears around 150 times a year in Lapland.
Land Of The Midnight Sun
The Midnight Sun occurs in Finland due to the tilt of the earth's axis which places regions above the Arctic Circle in 24-hour daylight for almost three months between June and August.
Many visitors make the most of extra daylight by going hiking, canoeing, fishing or playing a round of golf in the wee hours.
What's Lapland Like At Christmas?
Lapland is an authentic winter wonderland in December. It's a very popular Christmas destination as there's guaranteed snow, reindeer and cosy cottages... and it's the home of Father Christmas!
Spring in Lapland
Spring is short in Lapland, appearing around the end of March and lasting until May. The weather at this time is typically mild with pleasant temperatures and some sunshine, but, as with most of the year, the weather can be unpredictable.
Bright, sunny weather can be interrupted by sudden cold spells and snow that comes out of nowhere. April still sees a 24% chance of snowfall but this drops to just 6% in May.
March is still cold, with temperatures regularly going below freezing, but the weather is slowly heating up. April has an average temperature of 2°C, reaching highs of 6°C, while May is even warmer.
Summer in Lapland
The weather in Lapland changes for a few short months in summer, becoming mild and pleasant with much less humidity. With lush forests and sparkling lakes all around, it's a beautiful time to visit the region.
July is the warmest month of the year in Lapland, with an average temperature of 17°C, reaching a surprising high of 21°C on the warmest days. Low temperatures stay well above freezing, with the lowest temperature at 9°C.
As temperatures increase in the region, the snow melts. Although there's no snow in summer, there is some wet weather throughout the season, with around a 50% chance of rain each month.
Does Lapland Have 24-hour Sunshine?
Summer sees an increase in sunshine in Lapland, with June being the sunniest month. Between May and July, the sun stays above the horizon at all times, which results in two months of endless light - the famous Midnight Sun.
Unusual Summer Weather
Utsjoki recorded 30ºC in July 2019 making Lapland hotter at the time than Crete, Ibiza and Majorca- a testament to the unusual weather patterns of summer of 2019.
Autumn in Lapland
Autumn in Lapland begins quite early, around the end of August, as the sunshine hours get shorter. This time of the year is known as Ruska to the locals, when the leaves change colour, painting the landscape in vibrant and beautiful shades.
The weather also gets colder at this time of the year, with average temperatures dropping quite rapidly from 10°C in September to just -2°C in November. High humidity also returns in the autumn months, hitting levels above 80%.
The frost and snow that Lapland is famous for starts to slowly arrive around September, and by the time October arrives there's an 18% chance of snowfall. The permanent blanket of snow doesn't set in until December or January though.
Autumn is the windiest time of the year in Lapland and the region often sees storms and gales. There's around four days of storm-force winds on average, which can cause sudden hazardous weather conditions that visitors should be aware of.
Winter in Lapland
Because of its festive spirit and cold weather attractions, winter is the most popular time to visit Lapland. However, visitors should be prepared of the weather that occurs at this time of year.
How Often Does It Snow In Lapland?
Winters are cold and long in the region, with freezing temperatures and heavy snow occurring every day. Between December and February, temperatures stay constantly below freezing, with the lowest falling to -13°C in February.
January is the snowiest month, with an 81% chance of a snow day. Humidity is also high at this time of year, with levels at around 80% or higher.
Climate Change and Snow at Christmas
Finland had an unseasonably hot summer and autumn in 2018. Snowfall is common between October and April but by mid-November there's usually a heavy blanket of snow that lasts until mid-March. But in 2018 the snow didn't arrive until mid-December, much later than usual and it didn't stick because of the warmer ground conditions.
Unseasonably mild conditions are likely to become more common as climate changes cause global temperatures to rise.
Lapland Snow Forecast for Christmas 2019
Snow flurries and heavier falls are forecast for mid-December. The good news if you're on holiday with young children is that even if heavy snow isn't guaranteed to make an appearance - Santa Claus definitely will!
Winter Daylight hours and Polar Night
Daylight hours are limited in this season, with just a few hours between 10am and 2pm during the peak winter months. This lack of light in winter is s known as Polar Night. The long dark nights do provide excellent conditions to see the Northern Lights which are most visible between November and March.