- Download our Moving to Sweden Guide (PDF)
The weather in Sweden varies from north to south. Despite its northerly location, Sweden is generally temperate due to the warm offshore Gulf Stream currents. Sweden has three different climatic zones: the south has an oceanic climate, the centre has a humid continental climate, and the north has a subarctic climate.
Summers in the south and centre of Sweden are warm and pleasant, with average high temperatures ranging between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C). In the winter, temperatures in these regions average between 25°F and 36°F (-4°C and 2°C).
In the north, it is substantially colder, with short, cool summers and long, snowy winters. Temperatures frequently drop below freezing between September and May. Fortunately, with the biting cold comes plenty of beautiful powder, which makes for excellent skiing, snowboarding, sledding, and other snow sports.
Rain is possible in Sweden at any time of the year, but it is most common in late summer. The country's southwest receives the most rain, so we recommend keeping an umbrella in your bag if you are moving to a southwest city.
The best time to visit Sweden is in the summer, from June to August, when the days are long and warm, and the open-air museums and restaurants are open. As summer is the most busy and expensive time to visit Sweden, some travellers prefer to go in the spring or autumn, which are both pleasant seasons and far less crowded.
What do expats say about the weather in Sweden?
"I guess winter here can be pretty long and dark, which causes the locals to appear rather withdrawn and cold... So to speak."
Read our interview with South African expat Steve to learn more about living in Sweden as an expat.
Further reading
►To learn more about life in Sweden's lively capital, check out Lifestyle in Stockholm
Are you an expat living in Sweden?
Expat Arrivals is looking for locals to contribute to this guide, and answer forum questions from others planning their move to Sweden. Please contact us if you'd like to contribute.
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