Weather in Kuusamo

Planning your visit to Kuusamo? Here you will find the most up-to-date information on weather conditions, including detailed forecasts and visual charts, to make your stay as comfortable as possible.

The climate in Kuusamo, located in Finland, is characterized as subarctic, with distinct seasons. Winters here are long, frosty, and snowy, while summers are short and cool. Temperature fluctuations throughout the year are significant: from severe frosts in winter to moderate warmth during the summer months.

The winter period, covering the months from December to March, brings average temperatures significantly below zero, often dropping to -10°C and lower. Snow cover is stable during this time, making Kuusamo a popular destination for winter sports. Spring arrives late, in April-May, with a gradual rise in temperature and melting snow. Summer, falling in June, July, and August, offers milder weather with average temperatures around +12°C to +15°C, although nights can remain cool. Autumn, beginning in September, quickly brings cooling and the first frosts, preparing the region for a new winter.

Precipitation in Kuusamo is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, but the total amount is small, averaging 2-3 mm per month. The number of days with precipitation varies from 9 to 16 per month, meaning that precipitation, whether snow in winter or rain in summer, is usually not intense. The highest number of days with precipitation occurs in August and December, while the lowest is in April.

In Kuusamo, there is a significant annual temperature variation, characteristic of its northern location in Finland. The coldest months are January and February, when the average temperature holds at around -9.9°C and -9.8°C respectively, and nightly lows regularly drop below -12°C. The warmest month is traditionally July, with an average temperature of +15.2°C and maximum daily values reaching an average of +18.6°C, creating comfortable conditions for summer activities.

Winter in Kuusamo is long and frosty, covering the period from November to March, and sometimes April. In December, the average temperature is -7.1°C, dropping to -8.9°C at night. January and February bring the strongest and most persistent cold, with temperatures often not rising above -7°C even during the day. March still retains a winter weather character with an average temperature of -6.3°C. November is also a full-fledged winter month with an average temperature of -3.5°C, when the ground is already covered with snow and bodies of water are frozen over.

The summer period in Kuusamo, which falls on June, July, and August, offers pleasantly warm, but not hot weather. Average daytime temperatures in June hover around +16.4°C, rise to +18.6°C in July, and are about +16.5°C in August. Nights, as a rule, remain cool, which is typical for northern latitudes. Spring (April-May) and autumn (September-October) are short transitional seasons with rapid changes in temperature regimes. For example, in May the average temperature is already +5.3°C, while in September it drops to +8.3°C. Daily temperature fluctuations are most noticeable in May, when the difference between the daytime maximum (+9.5°C) and the nightly minimum (+1.2°C) can be substantial, as well as in the summer months, when daytime warmth gives way to evening coolness.

In Kuusamo, precipitation is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, and there is no pronounced rainy season or prolonged dry period. The monthly amount of precipitation is small and ranges from 1 to 3 mm. Nevertheless, days with precipitation happen quite often, ranging from 9 to 16 per month, indicating regular but not abundant moisture.

The nature of precipitation in Kuusamo depends directly on the season and temperature. In the cold months, roughly from November to March, when average temperatures consistently stay below zero (for example, around -9.9°C in January and -6.3°C in March), precipitation falls predominantly as snow. April and October are transitional periods: the average temperature in April is -0.8°C, and in October it is +1.4°C, so during this time rain, wet snow, or snowfall are all possible.

The summer months, from May to September, when temperatures are positive (for example, the average temperature in July is +15.2°C), bring precipitation in the form of rain. The highest monthly amount of precipitation (3 mm each) falls in June, July, August, and September. The "wettest" months by the number of days with precipitation are August and December, each having an average of 16 days with precipitation. March can be considered the "driest" month by volume of precipitation (only 1 mm), while having 10 days with precipitation. April stands out with the fewest number of days with precipitation – only 9.

When planning a trip to Kuusamo, it is important to carefully choose your wardrobe, as the weather here has distinct seasonality and can be quite harsh, especially during the cold season. The cold period, which lasts roughly from October-November to April, is characterized by low temperatures: average values range from -10°C in winter (with minimum temperatures dropping below -12°C) to around 0°C in the transitional months. Although the monthly amount of precipitation is small (1-2 mm), the number of days with snow or wet snow is significant (10-16 days per month). Therefore, your suitcase must contain: warm thermal underwear, several layers of clothing (for example, fleece jackets, wool sweaters), a windproof and waterproof winter jacket (preferably with a hood), and similar trousers or overalls. Do not forget a very warm hat covering your ears, a voluminous scarf or buff, and warm mittens (they retain heat better than gloves). High-quality waterproof winter shoes with thick, non-slip soles are critically important.

Summer months in Kuusamo (June-August) bring milder weather with average daytime temperatures of 12-15°C, although evenings and nights can be cool (around 8-11°C). Summer is also the season with the highest number of days with precipitation: although the total amount of precipitation is about 3 mm per month, it can fall over the course of 14-16 days. Therefore, a light waterproof and windproof jacket (raincoat) and, possibly, waterproof trousers are mandatory. The principle of layering remains relevant: a t-shirt, a light sweater or fleece, and a jacket on top. For walks, you will need comfortable, closed, and preferably water-resistant shoes. In May and September, the weather is transitional, with temperatures from 5°C to 8°C and also frequent precipitation, so layering and protection from moisture and wind remain key. Do not forget sunscreen for clear days, especially in spring and summer, and insect repellent for nature walks. A small backpack for day trips and a reusable water bottle will also be useful at any time of the year.