Stockholm experiences a distinctly Nordic climate with four marked seasons. Winters are cold and snowy, while summers are mild, bright, and relatively warm. The city’s northern latitude brings dramatic changes in daylight, from long, sun-filled summer days to short, dim winter afternoons. Rainfall is moderate year-round, and weather can shift quickly, especially in spring and autumn.
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.
Stockholm’s climate is classified as humid continental with Baltic influences, offering cold, snowy winters and pleasantly warm, sunny summers. Average winter temperatures range from -5°C to 0°C, with January typically the coldest month. Snowfall is common from December to March, though snow cover can be inconsistent and quickly turns to slush during mild spells. Summers, from June to August, are mild to warm, with average highs between 19°C and 22°C and occasional peaks above 25°C. July is usually the warmest month, rarely exceeding 30°C. Spring and autumn are transitional and unpredictable, with temperatures rising rapidly in May and cooling quickly from September onward.
Daylight in Stockholm varies dramatically due to its high latitude. In winter, days can be as short as six hours, with the sun barely rising above the horizon in December. In contrast, midsummer offers up to 18 hours of daylight, and from mid-May to late July, the city experiences 'white nights' where it never gets completely dark. Stockholm receives about 1,900 hours of sunshine annually, with the sunniest months from April to August. Rainfall is moderate and spread throughout the year, with summer months (July and August) being the wettest. Winds are generally gentle to moderate, but can feel brisk in winter. The Baltic Sea remains cold year-round, peaking at only 16–17°C in late summer.
Stockholm’s climate is shaped by its position between Arctic and Atlantic air masses, resulting in considerable variability. Humidity is highest in winter, contributing to the crisp cold, and lowest in summer, making warm days feel comfortable. The city’s weather can change rapidly, so dressing in layers is recommended, especially during spring and autumn.
| Average climate data for Stockholm, Sweden | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -1 | -1 | 3 | 8 | 16 | 21 | 22 | 20 | 15 | 10 | 4 | 1 | 22 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -5 | -5 | -3 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 13 | 9 | 5 | 1 | -3 | -5 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 39 | 27 | 29 | 29 | 32 | 55 | 66 | 59 | 52 | 48 | 47 | 45 | 529 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 9 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 98 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 8 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 9 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 1 | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 5 |
| Average UV index | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
The best time to visit Stockholm is from late May to August, when temperatures are mild to warm (16–22°C), daylight is abundant, and the city is vibrant with festivals and outdoor events. This period offers the most comfortable weather for sightseeing, long evenings, and opportunities to enjoy Stockholm’s parks and waterfronts.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to early March. During these months, Stockholm experiences its coldest temperatures (often below freezing), very short daylight hours, frequent snow or slush, and increased humidity, making outdoor activities less appealing. However, winter does offer a unique charm for those seeking festive markets and snowy scenery.
Stockholm has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, sunny summers. The city experiences significant seasonal changes in temperature and daylight, with moderate rainfall spread throughout the year.
Yes, snowfall is common in Stockholm from December to March. Snow cover can be inconsistent, sometimes melting quickly into slush, but January and February usually see the most reliable snow.
In winter, daylight can be as short as six hours, while in midsummer, Stockholm enjoys up to 18 hours of daylight. From mid-May to late July, nights are never fully dark due to the city’s northern latitude.
Rainfall is moderate year-round, but the wettest months are July and August. Light rain can occur at any time, so it’s wise to carry a rain jacket or umbrella whenever you visit.
Pack layered clothing to adapt to changing weather, a waterproof jacket, and sturdy shoes. In winter, bring thermal wear and insulated boots; in summer, include lighter clothes and a jumper for cool evenings.
Summer temperatures typically range from 19°C to 22°C, with occasional peaks above 25°C. July is the warmest month, and heatwaves above 30°C are rare but possible.
Winds are generally gentle to moderate, but can feel brisk in winter. Humidity is highest in winter, contributing to the crisp cold, and lowest in summer, making warm days comfortable.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (22 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (-0.8 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 9.9 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (13.5 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (-5.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 3.7 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (18.8 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (1.1 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 8.5 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is July (66 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (27.2 mm). Over the whole year there are 528.6 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is November (10 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is May (5.9 days). Over the whole year there are 98.5 days of rain on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 18 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 6 h). Over the whole year there are 12 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 January (Average sunshine: 0.9 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, November and December (UV index: 0). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.2.
