Early winter · Weather & things to do
Saariselkä in December
Saariselkä cools off: highs slip to 17°F (-8°C), from 22°F in November, with lows of 7°F (-14°C) and about 1.7 in (44 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 43/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 17°F (-8°C)
- Avg low
- 7°F (-14°C)
- Rain or snow
- 1.7 in (44 mm)
- Humidity
- 99%
- Cloud cover
- 80%
- Daylight
- ~0 h 00 min
- Comfort score
- 43/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 17°F (-8°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 7°F (-14°C), so expect frost and ice.
About 1.7 in (44 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 80%.
Daylight is short, roughly 0 h 00 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are July.
- Shortest days of the year, about 0 h 00 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (43 → 43/100).
- 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 7°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Saariselkä in December
With highs near 17°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Ski Saariselkä
Floodlit downhill slopes and a sledding run on the sides of Kaunispää, a few minutes from the village.
Holiday Club Saariselkä Spa
Spa hotel in the village centre with indoor pools, slides and saunas open to day visitors.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 17°F.
Teerenpesä
Restaurant and pub in the centre of Saariselkä village, a warm stop between aurora checks.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 17°F.
Urho Kekkonen National Park
One of Finland's largest national parks, with groomed ski trails, wilderness huts and open fells east of Saariselkä.
Nearby in December
- Rovaniemi in December~140 mi · highs 21°F, 2.2 in rain or snow · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Tromsø in December~226 mi · highs 28°F, 4.9 in rain or snow · 6°C (11°F) warmer by day, wetter
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.
Saariselkä in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Saariselkä?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 43/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are July. Expect highs of 17°F (-8°C) and 1.7 in (44 mm) of rain or snow.
How cold is Saariselkä in December?
Average highs are 17°F (-8°C) and average lows 7°F (-14°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Saariselkä in December?
Not much: about 1.7 in (44 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 4th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 30.2 in (766 mm).
What should I pack for Saariselkä in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 7°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Saariselkä
Routes in season in December
- Rovaniemi, Saariselkä & Helsinki Late Nov – Dec
Planning Saariselkä in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.