What to Expect from the Weather and How to Deal with it

Umeå has four distinct seasons, which means that there is something for everyone. There are dark, cold and snowy winters with ski slopes and lighted tracks for sports oriented people. Then, there is spring, which is the time when barbeque grills are brought out and backyard gatherings provide opportunities to socialise. In summer, bright summer nights combined with a sauna and a dip in the lake cater to our more relaxed side. The fourth season is, of course, Fall, which is wet and cold, but provides a perfect excuse to sit inside and sip coffee at a café or to browse around the shops. Here is some more information about our weather and how best to deal with it.

Climate and Seasons

Sweden is located so far north in Europe that the Arctic Circle slices through its northern most province, Lapland. However, it is not an arctic country. Thanks to the warm Gulf Stream in the Atlantic, Sweden has a rather mild climate. Sweden has a similar area to that of Spain, Thailand or the state of California in the US, and the climate in the north of the country is different from the climate in the south. The difference between the southern and northern parts of Sweden is marginal during the summer, but greater during the other seasons. Northern Sweden is covered by snow between December and March/April, while elsewhere the snow cover varies from region to region. In the far south, for example, it often rains during the winter season.

In Umeå, the seasons are very distinct from one another. Autumn brings colder weather and shorter days, but the leaves undergo beautiful colour changes. The winter and the snow brighten up the country, but the number of hours of daylight decreases. Spring arrives in April-May with longer days and spring flowers. Summer usually lasts from June to August, with an average temperature in July of 18°C (64°F). Summer is the season with long days and 24 hours of daylight and in the far north, above the Arctic Circle, you can actually see the midnight sun.

Dealing With the Climate

The climate that we live in is not new to our part of the world and therefore we build our houses accordingly. All the buildings, whether they are private residences or a public buildings, are well insulated and have central heating. This means that even when it is below zero outside, the  temperature inside is maintained within the recommended range of plus 18 – 22 degrees Celsius.
It is said that the winters in Northern Sweden are dry. This means there is very little water in the air during the winter months which can result in an increased need/use of skin moisturisers and chapstick. However, it also means that it is easier to keep the cold out by dressing in warm and windproof clothing.
As long as you dress correctly, temperatures that are below zero are nothing to be afraid of. You do not need to buy expensive and bulky winter jackets to keep warm. Your body heat warms up the air around your body and the trick is just to keep the warm air close to your skin. This is best achieved by dressing in layers (for example T-shirt, shirt, sweater, thicker sweater) with a windproof jacket as the last layer. The good thing about this way of dressing is that you just have to peel off or add a layer if the temperature changes during the day.

Midwinter Darkness and the Midnight Sun

Due to Umeå’s northern location, the number of daylight hours varies greatly between winter and summer. December is the darkest month with days that last only around 4 ½ hours. In contrast, the sun only sets for 3 ½ hours in June.

By traveling a little further north, you can even experience the midnight sun. Here are a few suggestions of places and dates in which to spend a 24 hour day. (The numbers indicate the place in meters above sea level.)

Page Editor: International Office
2011-03-30