Climate & Weather of Sweden
For a country that lies so far to the north, the climate and weather of Sweden are remarkably moderate. The Gulf Stream off the west coast of Norway holds the most influence on Sweden's climate. Additionally, the Gulf of Bothnia and the country's large number of lakes keep Sweden's climate fairly mild.
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Winter in Northern Sweden
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Located partially in the Arctic Circle, Northern Sweden's winter temperature frequently gets as low as -30°C (-22°F). October usually will see the first snow, and February is the coldest month. Winter lasts about seven months, but two of those months never see the sun rise above the horizon. Much of the country is completely icebound during the winter, although major ports are kept open by icebreaker ships.
Summer in Northern Sweden
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The summer temperatures in Northern Sweden average between 8° to 16°C (46° to 61°F). Since it is in the Land of the Midnight Sun, a good portion of the summer has continuous daylight. With the increased sunlight, most of the snow melts, but it is not uncommon to see the next winter's snow start falling in August. Rain also is a fact of life in the north.
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Winter in Southern Sweden
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Like the north, February is the coldest month, with temperatures that can drop to -22°C (-8°F), but average -3°C (26°F). There are only two months of winter, and daylight is limited to only six hours for much of the winter.
Summer in Southern Sweden
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In Stockholm, which is in the southern part of Sweden, July temperatures average a high of 18°C (64°F). Unlike the north, the south does not experience continuous daylight, although it does experience about 19 hours of daylight. Late summer is the time of the most rainfall.
Dress for the Weather
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If you are planning to visit Sweden, you'll want to make sure you have a jacket and sweater even in the summer. In the winter, you'll need a heavier coat or parka and typical cold-weather wear. Summer or winter, north or south, you'll want to make sure you have rain gear.
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