Sweden Weather Month by Month

Sweden's weather varies dramatically by region and season. The tables below provide typical temperature ranges, precipitation, and daylight hours for three reference points: Kiruna (67°N, subarctic north), Stockholm (59°N, central), and Malmö (55°N, temperate south). All data is based on SMHI 1991–2020 climate normals.

January

The heart of Swedish winter. Darkness blankets the north while the south sees grey, short days.

Metric	Kiruna (North)	Stockholm (Central)	Malmö (South)
Avg. high	−10°C	−1°C	+2°C
Avg. low	−18°C	−5°C	−2°C
Precipitation	30 mm	40 mm	50 mm
Daylight hours	0–4 hrs	6 hrs	7 hrs
Snow cover	Deep (60–80 cm)	Intermittent (10–30 cm)	Rare/light

January in Kiruna means polarnatt (polar night) — the sun does not rise above the horizon for weeks. In Stockholm, days are short but lengthening. Malmö may see no snow at all.

February

Temperatures remain harsh in the north, but the sun returns above the Arctic Circle. Daylight increases noticeably everywhere.

Metric	Kiruna	Stockholm	Malmö
Avg. high	−8°C	−1°C	+2°C
Avg. low	−17°C	−5°C	−3°C
Precipitation	25 mm	30 mm	35 mm
Daylight hours	4–8 hrs	8 hrs	9 hrs
Snow cover	Deep	Moderate	Rare

February is one of the driest months across Sweden. In the mountains, excellent ski conditions prevail.

March

The pivot month. Southern Sweden begins its thaw; the north remains firmly in winter.

Metric	Kiruna	Stockholm	Malmö
Avg. high	−4°C	+3°C	+6°C
Avg. low	−13°C	−3°C	−1°C
Precipitation	25 mm	30 mm	40 mm
Daylight hours	10–13 hrs	11 hrs	12 hrs
Snow cover	Deep	Declining	Minimal

Migratory birds begin returning to southern Sweden. In Skåne, the first crocuses appear.

April

Spring (vår (spring)) arrives decisively in the south. Snow retreats northward. Daylight surges.

Metric	Kiruna	Stockholm	Malmö
Avg. high	+0°C	+9°C	+12°C
Avg. low	−8°C	+1°C	+3°C
Precipitation	25 mm	30 mm	35 mm
Daylight hours	15–18 hrs	14 hrs	14 hrs
Snow cover	Declining	Gone	Gone

Valborg (Walpurgis Night) (30 April): bonfires welcome spring across Sweden.

May

Sweden transforms. Trees leaf out, wildflowers bloom, and the north finally shakes off winter.

Metric	Kiruna	Stockholm	Malmö
Avg. high	+7°C	+16°C	+16°C
Avg. low	−1°C	+6°C	+7°C
Precipitation	25 mm	35 mm	40 mm
Daylight hours	20–24 hrs	17 hrs	16 hrs
Snow cover	Gone (lowlands)	Gone	Gone

Above the Arctic Circle, the midnight sun begins. Stockholm enjoys long, luminous evenings.

June

Midsommar (Midsummer) month. The lightest time of year. Warmth reaches even the far north.

Metric	Kiruna	Stockholm	Malmö
Avg. high	+15°C	+21°C	+20°C
Avg. low	+5°C	+11°C	+11°C
Precipitation	40 mm	55 mm	50 mm
Daylight hours	24 hrs	19 hrs	17 hrs
Snow cover	Absent	Absent	Absent

Midsummer's Eve (around 21 June) is one of Sweden's most celebrated holidays, with maypole dancing, herring, and strawberries.

July

The warmest month across Sweden. Swedes flock to lakes, coastlines, and the countryside.

Metric	Kiruna	Stockholm	Malmö
Avg. high	+17°C	+23°C	+22°C
Avg. low	+8°C	+14°C	+13°C
Precipitation	55 mm	60 mm	65 mm
Daylight hours	24 hrs (declining)	18 hrs	17 hrs
Water temperature	10–15°C (lakes)	18–20°C (Baltic)	18–21°C

Metric	Kiruna	Stockholm	Malmö
Avg. high	+14°C	+21°C	+21°C
Avg. low	+6°C	+13°C	+13°C
Precipitation	55 mm	60 mm	65 mm
Daylight hours	16–20 hrs	16 hrs	15 hrs

August is peak season for bär (berries) — blueberries and lingonberries ripen across the forests.

September

Höst (Autumn) arrives. The first frosts touch the north. Forests begin to turn gold.

Metric	Kiruna	Stockholm	Malmö
Avg. high	+8°C	+16°C	+17°C
Avg. low	+1°C	+9°C	+10°C
Precipitation	35 mm	50 mm	55 mm
Daylight hours	12–15 hrs	13 hrs	13 hrs

In Lapland, the fjäll (mountain) landscape erupts in autumn colour — birch, blueberry, and cloudberry foliage turn vivid red and gold. Northern Lights season begins.

October

Darkness returns. The north sees its first snow. Southern Sweden remains mild.

Metric	Kiruna	Stockholm	Malmö
Avg. high	+0°C	+10°C	+12°C
Avg. low	−6°C	+4°C	+6°C
Precipitation	35 mm	50 mm	60 mm
Daylight hours	7–10 hrs	10 hrs	10 hrs
Snow	First snow (north)	Possible light frost	Frost possible

4 October: Kanelbullens dag (Cinnamon Bun Day) — a thoroughly Swedish mini-holiday.

November

Winter's vanguard. The north is dark and cold. The south is grey and damp.

Metric	Kiruna	Stockholm	Malmö
Avg. high	−5°C	+4°C	+7°C
Avg. low	−12°C	0°C	+2°C
Precipitation	30 mm	50 mm	60 mm
Daylight hours	2–5 hrs	7 hrs	8 hrs
Snow cover	Building	Possible	Rare

November is dark and often regarded as Sweden's least appealing month — but the anticipation of Advent, candles, and glögg (mulled wine) softens the mood.

December

Deep winter. The shortest days. Jul (Christmas) season.

Metric	Kiruna	Stockholm	Malmö
Avg. high	−9°C	+1°C	+4°C
Avg. low	−17°C	−3°C	0°C
Precipitation	30 mm	40 mm	55 mm
Daylight hours	0 hrs (polar night)	6 hrs	7 hrs
Snow cover	Deep	Possible	Rare

13 December: Lucia (Saint Lucy's Day) — a festival of light in the darkest time. Candlelit processions and lussekatter (saffron buns) mark the occasion.

Annual Precipitation Summary

Region	Annual precipitation	Wettest months	Driest months
Mountain west	1,000–1,500 mm	Autumn/winter	Spring
Inland Norrland	400–600 mm	Summer	Late winter
Central (Stockholm)	500–600 mm	July–August	February–March
West coast (Gothenburg)	700–800 mm	Autumn	Spring
South (Malmö)	550–650 mm	Autumn	Spring

When to visit Sweden — Use this weather data to plan the perfect trip

Packing guide — Season-specific packing lists for Swedish weather

Midsommar — Celebrate the longest day with Sweden's most beloved festival