The snow is back

During the last two nights and during today it snowed again. And since the temperatures are supposed to stay a little below zero during the next days, you can still enjoy a white city for a while.

But beware not to slip!

Covered in snow

Snow is covering Helsinki and its surroundings. But temperatures are rising and during the next week plus degrees are predicted.

So enjoy the snow as long is it is here. Have a nice Sunday!

Beautiful winter

The best part of winter started. Now temperatures are fairly mild with just around -10 degrees. The sun is out and reflecting in the white snow.

Enjoy your Sunday and have a good start into the week!

Let it snow

After a mild December and a few freezing days last week it is time for the snow now. Just throughout the last two days Helsinki got some additional 15 cm and is covered under a thick white layer.

And more snow is to come today throughout the whole day. So rather leave your car at home and calculate some extra time for traveling anywhere. Even though Helsinki's public transport is well prepared, a few delays can't be avoided. Detailed information on delays and cancelations can be found on HSL's website.

Have a nice and snowy day!

Perfect weather for ice swimming

Now that the extremly cold days are over the weather is quite perfect for some truely Finnish Avantouinti. That means swimming in a frozen lake. 

One perfect spot for this is Kuusijärvi in Vantaa. Warm up first either in one of the last smoke saunas you can find in the Helsinki area or in a normal electric sauna. When you are warm enough, grab your towel and flipflops (very important) and head to the ice hole for a dip.

Yes, the water is pretty cold but you will feel really good afterwards. Don't forget to warm up in the sauna afterwards again.

For more information on Kuusijärvi and how to get there check out the website.

Have a great Sunday and a wonderful winter!

Winter is back

And it happened again. After the first days and weeks of sunshine and warm weather, right when people have forgotten about winter the Takatalvi catches us off guard.

Middle and end of March are the most likely times for Takatalvi to hit. Many car owners will already have changed to summer tyres and many of you probably already put their heavy winter gear back down into the basement.

Up to 15 cm of new snow are expected. And it seems though that we have to deal with the wet sleet and winter weather at least until the end of the week. Then winter should really be over though.

Have a great day nonetheless!

Spring is close

The last snow and ice is melting. The plus degrees during the last days as well as the first sunny days have cleared most streets and paths already. And it looks as if the temperatures won't drop much anymore.

Have a nice Sunday!

Happy sleighing!

Today is Laskiainen. One could say it's the Finnish way of celebrating carneval. And it's a celebration especially for kids - and for students. 

Kaivopuisto is the place to be today. Students from all the universities around the city come here today to take advantage of the last snow and sleigh down the Ullanlinna hill. They also compete on who built the best and nicest looking sledge. It all starts today at 13.00 and officially ends at 17.00 (before the crowd moves on to continue celebrating in some clubs in the center).

If sleighing down the hill with a can of beer in your hand on a Tuesday afternoon is not what you had in mind for today then rather get a delicious Laskiais Pulla. The sweet pastry is filled with either jam or marzipan and topped with a lot of whipped cream.

Whatever you decide to do, have a great Laskiainen!

Is the gloominess over?

According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute this winter has been the gloomiest in over three decades for many parts of the country. Some areas of Southern Finland have gotten as little as under four hours of sunshine during November and just over five hours in December.

There is a good chance though that the darkest days are over now. Last weekend (Friday and Sunday) brought lots of light to the capital area and the forecast for the upcoming days looks pretty good as well. This also means that it might get colder and windier again. So don't forget to dress up warm enough. But also don't leave your sunglasses at home.

Have a good start into the week!

Where is my bike?

This year hasn't brough that much snow so far. Still sometimes things might get lost :)

Have a nice Sunday!

New snow in Helsinki

After most of the snow has already melted and turned into ice the last two nights have brough the white stuff back to Helsinki. And it looks as if there was at least a bit more to come during the next days.

So for all of you snow fans out there it's time to enjoy the winter wonderland outside.

Slippery roads

Be careful when you go outside these days. The streets and roads are extremely slippery. During the day the plus degrees causes the snow to melt. During the night the water then freezes over again.

Make small steps and when it gets really slippery consider to rather walk in the snow next to the paths for better grip.

Have a nice and save weekend!

SnowHow at Helsinki Vantaa

During winter snow frequently closes down many European airports. Sometimes air traffic gets completely stuck in some countries. Not so in Finland though.

Helsinki Vantaa is one of the best equiped airports in the world when it comes to fighting snow and ice. And believe it or not, the longest time Helsinki Vantaa Airport ever was closed due to heavy snow was for 30 minutes. That was in 2003.

So don't worry about the weather if you are planning to fly anywhere from Helsinki around the winter time. Helsinki Vantaa is prepared.

Beware of ice and snow!

Helsinki is covered in thick ice and snow. And it looks beautiful. But be careful when you walk through the streets. Eventhough the city does its best to keep the roofs clean and the streets clean there is always the risk of something falling down.

Keep your eyes open and have a save start into the new year!

White Christmas

Helsinki gets what many people around the world would be wishing for: a white Christmas.

Snow has fallen in and around the city. And it will stay. The temperatures will stay below zero and even go down further. After the next wave of snow on Thursday the temperatures will go down to around - 20°C during the night.

Enjoy the white winter wonderland!

Lots of snow

And here it is. The snow arrived in Helsinki. After a first flakes already a few weeks earlier this time the real snow came. 

Have a nice and white weekend!

Car drivers be prepared

No, the weather is not that bad yet. Actually this is one of the warmest Octobers in a long time. But anyway if you are a car driver you should prepare for winter.

Have you already changed to winter tires? If not it's about time. You can do that yourself or let a garage take care of it (for around 30 €).

Also be aware that the speed limits have been changed on the highways. During the winter the fastest you can go in Finland is 100 km/h.

Drive safely!

First signs of winter

This morning Helsinki woke up with a slight white cover. The first light snow fell last night. 

 

But this most likely doesn't mark the beginning of winter. Temperatures are forecasted to rise again towards the weekend. But it shows that the cold time of the year is close.

Damn cold June weather

Hearing a foreigner complaining about Finnish weather is quite common. Normally that happens in the winter or spring and you can then always refer to the beautiful Finnish summer that makes up for all the coldness and darkness.

However this year things seem to be a bit different. Yesterday was by far the coldest summer day of the year with temperatures below 10 degrees in Helsinki. In some parts of Finland it even snowed. That hasn't happened in decades. Iltasanomat titled yesterday, that it's even colder here than in Alaska at the moment.

And all that a few days before Juhannus, the midsummer celebration and brightest day of the year. The temperatures are predicted to rise again but it will still be one of the coldest Juhannus weekends in a long time.

Takatalvi in Helsinki

It's probably the weather phenomenon foreigners have the most difficulties adjusting to in Finland: Takatalvi. Takatalvi is the returning winter that comes after there have been already the first warm days of spring like weather.

After last weeks warm temperatures with up to 10 degrees winter came back with lots of snow during the weekend. But compared to last years -20 degrees in March this year is still rather mild. And don't worry, it is just a short cold period before the real spring will arrive in Finland and snow and ice will be gone for good.