Turku, on Finland’s southwest coast, enjoys a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are mild and pleasant, while winters are cold, long, and snowy. The city experiences moderate rainfall year-round, dramatic shifts in daylight, and abundant sunshine in summer, making it a vibrant destination for both winter and summer activities.
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.
Turku’s climate is shaped by its coastal location and the Baltic Sea’s moderating influence. Winters (December–March) are cold, snowy, and often cloudy, with average highs around -2°C to 1°C and lows near -8°C. Snow cover is common, but the proximity to the sea makes Turku’s winters milder than those further inland. Sunshine is scarce in winter, with only 1–2 hours per day, and daylight is limited to 6–7 hours at the shortest.
Summers (June–August) are mild and comfortable, with average highs of 20–22°C in July, the warmest month, and lows around 12–14°C. Rainfall is moderate but peaks in July and August, with up to 81 mm per month and 14–15 rainy days. Sunshine is abundant in summer, with up to 9–10 hours per day and daylight stretching to 18–19 hours at the solstice. Spring and autumn are transitional, with rapidly changing temperatures and colourful foliage. Annual precipitation is about 720–730 mm, and winds are generally moderate but can be brisk in winter. The sea temperature ranges from 1.5°C in winter to 17.5°C in August, making summer the only suitable time for swimming.
Turku’s climate supports lush summer greenery, vibrant autumn colours, and snowy winter landscapes. The city’s weather is dynamic, requiring visitors to pack for a range of conditions, but also offering unique seasonal experiences from ice skating and skiing in winter to festivals and outdoor dining in summer.
| Average climate data for Turku, Finland | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -2 | -2 | 2 | 9 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 21 | 15 | 9 | 3 | -0 | 22 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -7 | -8 | -5 | -0 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 12 | 7 | 3 | -2 | -5 | -8 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 62 | 42 | 43 | 32 | 39 | 60 | 79 | 79 | 64 | 77 | 75 | 70 | 723 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 11 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 116 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 1 | -1 | -0 | 0 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 5 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 6 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 5 |
| Average UV index | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
The best time to visit Turku is from June to August, when temperatures are warmest (20–22°C), days are long and sunny, and the city comes alive with festivals and outdoor events. These months offer the most comfortable conditions for sightseeing, exploring the archipelago, and enjoying the Baltic coast.
The least favourable time to visit Turku is from November to March, when cold temperatures, frequent snow or rain, short daylight hours, and limited sunshine can make travel and outdoor activities challenging. Winter is best suited for those seeking snowy landscapes and winter sports.
Turku’s average annual temperature is about 6–7°C. The coldest months are January and February (highs -2°C, lows -8°C), while July is the warmest (highs 21–22°C, lows 13–14°C).
Turku receives moderate precipitation, averaging 720–730 mm annually. Rain falls year-round, peaking in July and August. Snow is common from December to March, but winters are milder and less snowy than in inland Finland.
Turku enjoys about 1,840 hours of sunshine per year. The sunniest months are June and July, with up to 9–10 hours daily. December and January are the darkest, with only 1–2 hours of sunshine per day.
The Baltic Sea near Turku is warmest in July and August, reaching up to 17.5°C. Swimming is only comfortable during these summer months.
Turku can be windy, especially in winter due to its coastal location. Winds are generally moderate but may feel brisk in cold months, so windproof clothing is recommended during winter.
Pack layers for spring and autumn, light clothing and rain gear for summer, and insulated, windproof clothing and boots for winter. An umbrella is useful year-round, and sun protection is needed in summer.
Turku does not experience the midnight sun, but summer days are very long, with up to 19 hours of daylight in June. Northern lights are rare but possible on clear winter nights.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (22.4 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is February (-2.1 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 9.3 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (12.6 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (-8.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 1.7 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (12.7 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (-0.5 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 5.1 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is August (79.4 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is April (32.3 mm). Over the whole year there are 722.7 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is November (13.1 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is May (7 days). Over the whole year there are 115.7 days of rain on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 18.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 5.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 9.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 0.1 h). Over the whole year there are 4.6 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 5). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 0). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.2.
