Seasonal Landscapes

Seasonal Landscapes

How Lapland's nature changes through its eight distinct climatic seasons, from the first snows to the midnight sun and the autumn ruska.

Lapland is known for having 8 fairly distinct climatic seasons. Winter itself lasts for about a year, so the usual four seasons of the rest of Europe don't really apply – and the seasons also reflect the outdoor activities most common at each time of year.

  • Lapland has 8 distinct climatic seasons
  • First snows can fall as early as August–September; permanent cover by November
  • Over 3 weeks of polar night in Enontekiö during deep winter
  • February is the coldest month; snow can exceed a metre
  • Summer brings the midnight sun; average temperatures 10–16°C
  • Autumn ruska brings golden and crimson colours from early September

Early Winter's First Snows

The first snowfall may occur in Lapland as early as August–September, but permanent snow cover normally falls in November. Christmastime is the darkest part of Lapland's twilight period, a time when the sun does not rise above the horizon and there are only a few hours of daylight.

Deep Twilight Winter

In Enontekiö we have over 3 weeks in which the sun does not show its head above the horizon. This is known as deep winter. It is an easy time of year to spot the northern lights, which dance regularly in the dark skies.

Frosty Winter

February is statistically the coldest month, and the transition from deep winter to frosty winter. By now most of the season's snow has fallen and the cover is over a metre deep. With daylight hours returning, this is the time to truly marvel at the white scenery and the trees heavily laden with snow.

Crusty Winter

As the spring comes, the snow turns crusty. This is the next distinct 'season' before the period when the snow and ice start to melt in early summer.

Early Spring – good outdoor conditions

Sunshine returns to illuminate the northern skies and reflect spectacularly off the glistening snow. The sunshine and just-below-zero temperatures of early spring entice people outdoors: late March has the most snow, and skiing conditions in Lapland stay excellent through to mid-May.

Late Spring – the ice melt

Sunshine glistens off the snow, birds greet the day in song and catkins form on the willow bushes. This is the transition from winter to summer, when the snow gradually melts and nature reawakens. It may even snow in late spring, but summer is on its way.

Summer and the Midnight Sun

Summer in Lapland is bright – the time of the nightless night, when the midnight sun stays above the horizon for weeks at a time. Hot days (over 25°C) are rare, as the average temperature across Lapland runs between 10 and 16°C, though in recent years there have been weeks when Lapland was hotter than anywhere else in Europe.

Before midsummer, frost can still strike: early June temperatures can fall a few degrees below zero and it may even snow. Known as back winter, this is unfortunate for the flora, since the growing season lasts only around three months. Late July is the warmest time of summer.

Harvest Time / Late Summer

Harvest is a noteworthy time in Lapland, when folk had to work hard to bring in what food they could before the frosts of early winter returned. This post-mosquito period, before the autumn colours arrive, has a special place in Finnish hearts.

Autumn

As the first night-time frosts set in and the days shorten, the vegetation prepares for winter. Leaves turn from green to vibrant golden yellow and glowing crimson, crowning the period of colour and splendour called ruska. In the north, ruska generally starts after the first week in September.