Late autumn · Weather & things to do
Helsinki in November
Helsinki cools off: highs slip to 40°F (4°C), from 48°F in October, with lows of 36°F (2°C) and about 3.0 in (75 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 38/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 40°F (4°C)
- Avg low
- 36°F (2°C)
- Rain
- 3.0 in (75 mm)
- Humidity
- 90%
- Cloud cover
- 85%
- Daylight
- ~7 h 02 min
- Comfort score
- 38/100 · Tough
What November feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 40°F (4°C).
Nights cool to an average low of 36°F (2°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 3.0 in (75 mm).
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 85%.
Daylight is short, roughly 7 h 02 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around November
November is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are July & August.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, October – December.
- Comfort slips from 51/100 in October to 38/100.
- Our Rovaniemi, Saariselkä & Helsinki route is planned for Late Nov – Dec, a window set by the holiday season rather than the weather — November is part of it.
What to pack for November
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 36°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Helsinki in November
With highs near 40°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
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 40°F.
Café Ekberg
Helsinki's oldest bakery café, opened in 1852, on Bulevardi.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Helsinki Cathedral
Carl Ludvig Engel's white neoclassical Lutheran cathedral, set at the top of a wide flight of steps over Senate Square.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 40°F.
Löyly
Public sauna and restaurant in a timber-clad building on the Hernesaari shore, with steps down into the Baltic.
Helsinki Christmas Market
The city's main Christmas market fills Senate Square with wooden stalls, a carousel and a tall tree below the cathedral steps.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Nearby in November
- Tallinn in November~51 mi · highs 39°F, 2.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Riga in November~225 mi · highs 39°F, 2.9 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, about as wet
- Stockholm in November~246 mi · highs 40°F, 2.4 in rain · 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 November: quick answers
Is November 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 40°F (4°C) and 3.0 in (75 mm) of rain.
How cold is Helsinki in November?
Average highs are 40°F (4°C) and average lows 36°F (2°C), making it the 5th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Helsinki in November?
Some: about 3.0 in (75 mm) of rain falls across November on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 28.1 in (713 mm).
What should I pack for Helsinki in November?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 36°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Helsinki
Routes in season in November
- Rovaniemi, Saariselkä & Helsinki Late Nov – Dec
Planning Helsinki in November?
Share this November plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.