Early winter · Weather & things to do
Helsinki in December
Helsinki cools off: highs slip to 34°F (1°C), from 40°F in November, with lows of 29°F (-2°C) and about 2.6 in (67 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 38/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 34°F (1°C)
- Avg low
- 29°F (-2°C)
- Rain or snow
- 2.6 in (67 mm)
- Humidity
- 92%
- Cloud cover
- 85%
- Daylight
- ~5 h 30 min
- Comfort score
- 38/100 · Tough
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 34°F (1°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 29°F (-2°C), so expect frost and ice.
About 2.6 in (67 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 85%.
Only about 5 h 30 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are July & August.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 29°F.
- Snow becomes likely from December, so check road and trail conditions.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, October – December.
- Shortest days of the year, about 5 h 30 min of daylight.
- Our Rovaniemi, Saariselkä & Helsinki route is planned for Late Nov – Dec, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — December is part of it.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 29°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 2.6 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Helsinki in December
Cold days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Old Market Hall
Brick market hall from 1889 on the South Harbour, with stalls for salmon soup, smoked fish and Finnish pastries.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 34°F.
Aleksanterinkatu Christmas Street
Helsinki's main shopping street, hung with Christmas lights every year since 1949.
Uspenski Cathedral
Red-brick Orthodox cathedral on a rocky hill above the harbour, with gilded onion domes.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 34°F.
Stockmann
Finland's largest department store, whose animated Christmas window display is unveiled each November.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Löyly
Public sauna and restaurant in a timber-clad building on the Hernesaari shore, with steps down into the Baltic.
Nearby in December
- Tallinn in December~51 mi · highs 33°F, 2.2 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Riga in December~225 mi · highs 32°F, 2.5 in rain or snow · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Stockholm in December~246 mi · highs 33°F, 2.1 in rain or snow · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Helsinki in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Helsinki?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 38/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are July & August. Expect highs of 34°F (1°C) and 2.6 in (67 mm) of rain or snow.
How cold is Helsinki in December?
Average highs are 34°F (1°C) and average lows 29°F (-2°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Helsinki in December?
Some: about 2.6 in (67 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 28.1 in (713 mm).
What should I pack for Helsinki in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 29°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 2.6 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Helsinki
Routes in season in December
- Rovaniemi, Saariselkä & Helsinki Late Nov – Dec
Planning Helsinki in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.