Weather in Helsinki in January
January in Helsinki is deep winter. Days are short. The outdoor plan is a window in the middle of the day or not at all.
In Finland, this is how Helsinki actually wears January, not how a country centroid would. Compared with July and February, January sits in the middle of Helsinki's year.
- Average temp
- -3°C
-6–-1°C
- Rainfall
- 54 mm
Showers likely
- Sunshine
- 1.1 h
hours per day
What to expect
Daytime
Days in Helsinki in January are about getting between indoor places. The cold is the story. Gloves are not a fashion choice.
A clear spell is for a short walk, then back in. Do not plan a long outdoor day as the default. Night falls early and the cold deepens with it.
Rain
Mixed skies in Helsinki in January. Dry days and wet days share the month. Outdoor plans need a backup, not a cancellation policy.
Pack a shell you will actually carry. The monthly table is the place for totals. This is the feel: usable, interrupted.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What to pack
Rain jacket
A layer for cooler evenings
Where to stay in Helsinki
Dates are a starting point for January.
Travel guides for Helsinki
What to read before you book.
Average weather in Helsinki
TemperatureRainfall
Check another month
This is the month you are reading. Change either side to look at another.
FAQs about Helsinki
Climate averages for Helsinki, 1991–2020.
The best time to visit Helsinki is between May and October, the most comfortable stretch of the year on these averages.
July is the hottest month, with an average around 18°C.
August is the wettest month, with about 84 mm of rain.
No. These are 1991–2020 climate normals from Meteostat, not a live forecast. Actual weather in any given week can differ.
