Kittilä, located in Finnish Lapland above the Arctic Circle, features a subarctic climate with long, frigid winters and short, cool summers. The region is renowned for its dramatic seasonal contrasts, including the midnight sun in summer and polar night in winter. Snow cover is reliable, making Kittilä a prime destination for winter sports and northern lights viewing.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Kittilä’s subarctic climate (Dfc) is shaped by its northern latitude and inland location, resulting in strong seasonal shifts. Winters (November to April) are long, cold, and snowy, with average daytime highs of –7°C in January and nighttime lows around –15°C. Extreme cold snaps can drop temperatures far lower, and the coldest temperature ever recorded in Finland (–51.5°C) occurred near Kittilä. Snow cover is deep and reliable, supporting a vibrant winter tourism scene centred on skiing and snow-based activities. The polar night lasts from mid-December to late December, when the sun does not rise, but twilight provides a few hours of dim light each day. December sees only 0.1 hours of sunshine per day, while January and February remain mostly overcast.
Summers (June to August) are short and cool, with average highs of 20°C in July and nighttime lows near 10°C. The midnight sun shines from late May to mid-July, providing continuous daylight and up to 9.3 hours of sunshine per day in June. July is the wettest month, with 90 mm of rainfall over 16 days, while March is the driest with 35 mm, mostly as snow. Spring and autumn are brief, with rapidly changing weather and significant day-night temperature swings. Annual precipitation averages around 672 mm, with most falling as snow from October to April. Winds are generally moderate, averaging 12–15 km/h, but can feel brisk in open areas. Humidity is high in winter, often exceeding 80%.
Kittilä’s extreme seasonal differences offer unique experiences: endless daylight and lush landscapes in summer, and snowy, atmospheric winters perfect for aurora hunting and winter sports. The region’s climate, combined with its unspoiled wilderness, makes it a year-round destination for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
| Average climate data for Kittilä, Finland | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -9 | -8 | -3 | 1 | 9 | 15 | 19 | 17 | 11 | 2 | -3 | -6 | 19 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -15 | -14 | -11 | -5 | 2 | 7 | 10 | 8 | 5 | -2 | -7 | -11 | -15 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 27 | 26 | 26 | 22 | 39 | 46 | 52 | 40 | 41 | 27 | 31 | 34 | 410 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 3 | 2 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 114 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 187 | 184 | 192 | 120 | 73 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 79 | 204 | 260 | 1,306 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 22 | 19 | 20 | 16 | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 17 | 23 | 132 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 96 | 97 | 94 | 93 | 80 | 65 | 71 | 76 | 85 | 90 | 95 | 96 | 86 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 10 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 3 | 7 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 0 | 11 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 9 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 7 | 0 | 6 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 75 | 73 | 68 | 72 | 60 | 55 | 51 | 51 | 61 | 62 | 67 | 75 | 64 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
The best time to visit Kittilä depends on your interests: December to March is ideal for winter sports, northern lights, and snowy landscapes. For hiking, midnight sun, and outdoor adventures, visit from June to early August, when days are long, temperatures are mild, and nature is at its most vibrant.
The least favourable time to visit Kittilä is from late October to mid-November and late April, when temperatures are cold, days are short, and snow or ice can make travel challenging. Spring thaw and autumn freeze can also limit outdoor activities and accessibility.
Kittilä has a subarctic climate with long, frigid winters and short, cool summers. Winter temperatures can drop below –20°C, while summer highs reach 20°C. Snow cover is deep from November to April, and daylight varies dramatically.
The best time for aurora viewing is from late September to early April, especially during clear, dark winter nights. The long polar night in December offers extended opportunities for northern lights sightings.
Kittilä receives most of its 672 mm annual precipitation as snow from October to April. Snow cover is deep and reliable, making it a top winter sports destination in Finnish Lapland.
Yes, Kittilä enjoys the midnight sun from late May to mid-July, when the sun does not set and daylight lasts 24 hours. This period is ideal for outdoor activities and exploring Lapland’s wilderness.
Winter temperatures average –7°C during the day and –15°C at night, but extreme cold snaps can push temperatures below –30°C. The coldest temperature ever recorded in Finland (–51.5°C) was measured near Kittilä.
In winter, pack thermal layers, insulated jackets, snow boots, hats, and gloves. For summer, bring light layers, sun protection, and insect repellent. Weather can change quickly, so be prepared for cold, wet, or windy conditions.
Yes, summer is perfect for hiking, fishing, and enjoying the midnight sun. Temperatures are mild (15–20°C), days are long, and Lapland’s nature is at its most vibrant. Insect repellent is recommended for outdoor activities.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (18.9 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (-8.8 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 3.9 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (10.4 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-14.6 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is -2.7 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (52.2 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is April (21.9 mm). Over the whole year there are 410.4 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is June (15.7 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (2.5 days). Over the whole year there are 113.9 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is December (259.6 mm). The months with the least snowfall are July and August (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,306.2 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is December (22.5 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are July and August (0 days). Over the whole year there are 132 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is February (96.8 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is June (65.3 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 86.5 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is March (10.9 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is April (9.2 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 9.9 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (75.1 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is July (51.1 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 64.1 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is May (Average daylight: 18 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is June (Average daylight: 0 h). Over the whole year there are 9.1 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 8.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 0 h). Over the whole year there are 3.7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May, June and July (UV index: 4). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, March, April, October, November and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.
