Climate and Weather of Sweden
Sweden experiences four different climate types. The southern part of the country has a temperate oceanic climate, the interior part of central Sweden has a temperate continental climate, and the northern half of Sweden has a cool continental climate. In the mountains, there is an Alpine climate.Like all European countries, Sweden has four distinct seasons. Its relatively high summer temperatures and mild winters are characteristic of the country, especially compared to surrounding countries at the same latitude. Sweden benefits from being close to the mountains in Norway, which largely prevent precipitation and large depressions while providing warm temperatures during the summer months.
On average, most of Sweden receives between 500 mm and 800 mm of precipitation each year, making it considerably drier than the global average. The southwestern part of the country receives more precipitation, between 1000 mm and 1200 mm, while some mountain areas in the north receive up to 2000 mm.
Snowfall mainly occurs from December through March in southern Sweden, from November through April in central Sweden, and from October through May in northern Sweden.
The best time to visit Sweden is from June to August, during the summer season when temperatures are warmest and the sunniest. This period is by far the most pleasant time to enjoy your holiday in Sweden, despite slightly higher levels of precipitation on average. May and September can also be great months to visit Sweden, but be prepared for cooler nights and evenings.
Are you interested in more detailed information for various cities in Sweden?
Please select the city you plan to visit, or one closest to your destination. For each selected city, you will see the following graphs:
1. Yearly average minimum and maximum temperatures
2. Monthly averages of precipitation throughout the year (rainfall, snow etc)
3. Monthly average hours of sunshine throughout the year
Additionally, some pages provide historical weather data such as humidity, wind speed, and water temperature.