Weather in Tallinn

To ensure your trip to Tallinn is as comfortable as possible, check the up-to-date weather information. In this section, you will find current summaries, detailed forecasts, and useful charts.

The climate in Tallinn can be characterised as temperate, transitional from maritime to continental. This means that all four seasons are clearly defined here, each with its own weather features. The city is not subject to extreme temperatures, but the weather can be quite changeable, especially during the shoulder seasons.

Winters in Tallinn are generally cool and snowy, with average temperatures in January and February around -2.3°C. Spring arrives gradually: March can still be cold, but by April the average temperature rises above +4°C, and May delights with warmth around +10°C. Summer is moderately warm, with the highest temperatures in July (averaging +17.7°C, with highs up to +21°C). Autumn brings gradual cooling, starting with a mild September and ending with a cooler and wetter November.

Regarding precipitation, it is distributed quite evenly throughout the year, without a distinct rainy season. The monthly amount of precipitation is low (1-3 mm), however, the number of days with precipitation can be significant, especially in the autumn-winter period (up to 16 days per month). This means that even if the rain is not heavy, it can fall often, so waterproof clothing or an umbrella will be useful at any time of the year.

The annual temperature trend in Tallinn demonstrates a clear change of seasons, allowing travellers to choose the most comfortable time to visit. The coldest months are traditionally January and February. During this period, the average air temperature is around -2.3°C to -2.4°C. At night, the thermometer can drop to -4.2°C in January and -4.3°C in February, while daytime highs rarely rise above -0.3°C. The warmest period falls in July and August. In July, the average temperature reaches +17.7°C (with minimum nightly +14.3°C and maximum daily +21.0°C), and in August these figures average +17.3°C (with nightly +14.1°C and daily +20.5°C).

Summer months in Tallinn, from June to August, are characterised by pleasant and moderate warmth. The average daily temperature in June is about +15.8°C, gradually rising to +17.7°C in July. During the day, the air warms up to +19.8°C in June and up to +21.0°C in July, creating perfect conditions for long walks and sightseeing. Nights bring refreshing coolness, with temperatures ranging from +11.8°C in early summer to +14.3°C in its middle. Daily temperature fluctuations in summer are quite noticeable and average 6-8°C. For example, in June the difference between the daily maximum and nightly minimum can reach about 8°C, and in July – approximately 6.7°C.

The winter season in Tallinn, covering December, January, and February, is distinguished by cool, often frosty weather. Average monthly temperatures during this period fluctuate from -0.9°C in December to -2.4°C in January. At night, the temperature consistently drops below zero, reaching marks from -2.5°C in December to -4.3°C in February. During the day, the temperature usually stays around 0°C or slightly below (from +0.7°C in December to -0.5°C in January). The difference between day and night temperatures in winter is less pronounced than in summer and is approximately 3-4°C. Spring and autumn months demonstrate a smooth transition of temperatures: thus, in April the average temperature is +4.7°C (from +1.1°C at night to +8.3°C during the day), and in October it drops to +7.8°C (from +5.8°C to +9.8°C). The largest daily fluctuations in the transitional seasons are observed in May, where the difference between day and night temperature can reach 8.4°C.

Although the total monthly rainfall in Tallinn is small, varying from 1 to 3 mm, its distribution and frequency have their own characteristics. The "driest" months in terms of precipitation are March and April, when only 1 mm falls. These same months, together with May, are also distinguished by the lowest number of days with precipitation – from 9 to 11. On the other hand, slightly more precipitation – up to 3 mm per month – occurs in August, September, and October. At the same time, January, October, and December lead in the frequency of wet days, when precipitation can be observed on average 16 days a month, as well as July with 15 days.

The nature of precipitation in Tallinn depends directly on the season. In the winter months, from December to February, and also often in March, when average temperatures are around zero or lower, precipitation most often falls in the form of snow or wet snow. In November, with an average temperature of +3.3°C, precipitation is most likely to be in the form of rain, although sleet is possible during cold snaps. Summer months, from June to August, bring rains, as the air temperature is significantly higher. Given the small monthly amount of precipitation with a relatively high frequency of its occurrence, it can be assumed that Tallinn is characterised more by light, possibly drizzling, rains or short snowfalls rather than heavy downpours or heavy blizzards.

When planning a trip to Tallinn, it is important to consider the changeable weather and be prepared for various conditions throughout the year. The key principle when packing your suitcase is layering. This will allow you to easily adapt to temperature changes throughout the day. Regardless of the season, comfortable waterproof shoes for long walks on the cobblestones of the Old Town will be your best friend. Also, do not forget an umbrella or a light raincoat, as precipitation, although not always heavy, happens quite often, especially from October to January.

For the winter months (from December to March), when the average temperature hovers around -2°C and precipitation often comes as snow, be sure to take warm outerwear (a down jacket or winter coat), a hat, scarf, and gloves. Warm sweaters, fleece jackets, and thermal underwear will not be superfluous, especially if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors. In the shoulder seasons, spring (April-May) and autumn (September-November), the weather can be very variable. The sun may shine during the day and it can be relatively warm (up to +14.5°C in May or +15.8°C in September), but evenings can be cool. During this period, you will need a mid-season jacket (preferably waterproof and windproof), sweaters, jeans, or thick trousers.

Summer months (June-August) in Tallinn are usually moderately warm, with an average temperature of about +16-18°C, sometimes reaching +21°C. Light trousers, T-shirts, and long-sleeved shirts are suitable for this time of year. However, even in summer, it is worth having a light jacket or sweater with you in case of cool evenings or windy weather, which is typical for a coastal city. Although the amount of precipitation in summer is small, rainy days still happen (10-15 days a month), so a compact umbrella or raincoat will not go amiss. Do not forget sunscreen and a hat for sunny days, especially if you plan trips to nature or walks by the sea.