When to go · Rovaniemi

Rovaniemi in May

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Nov (dark, little snow), Apr–May (slush).

Key facts

Verdict: Avoid
Temperature: 11°C (51°F)51°F (11°C) / 2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C); average high / low
Rain days: 8
Crowds: Low; Finland overall
Prices: Medium; Finland overall

Plan around it

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Rovaniemi

Listed as a month to avoid: Nov (dark, little snow), Apr–May (slush).

May is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Long-term averages

RovaniemiHighs around 10.8 °C (51 °F), lows around 2.3 °C (36 °F), rain on about 8 daysHighs around 51 °F (10.8 °C), lows around 36 °F (2.3 °C), rain on about 8 days
Lapland, Finland · Rovaniemi, Levi, Ylläs, Saariselkä, Inari, Kilpisjärvicool
Snow from November to April; −15 to −30 °C (5 to −22 °F) in January. Polar night (kaamos) in the north from early December to early January; midnight sun in Utsjoki about 17 May – 27 July. Autumn colours (ruska) in early September.Snow from November to April; 5 to −22 °F (−15 to −30 °C) in January. Polar night (kaamos) in the north from early December to early January; midnight sun in Utsjoki about 17 May – 27 July. Autumn colours (ruska) in early September.

Finland overall: Vappu, fast-returning light and blossom; Lapland in its muddy thaw.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Rovaniemi, side by side.

First month

Second month

Verdict
May: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 10.8 °C (51 °F)51 °F (10.8 °C)
Jan: -8.2 °C (17 °F)17 °F (-8.2 °C)
Night low
May: 2.3 °C (36 °F)36 °F (2.3 °C)
Jan: -14.5 °C (6 °F)6 °F (-14.5 °C)
Rain days
May: 8 (better)
Jan: 10
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: Medium
Prices
May: Medium
Jan: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 0

May: Listed as a month to avoid: Nov (dark, little snow), Apr–May (slush).

January: Inside Rovaniemi's best window: Dec–Mar (snow, auroras); Jun–Jul (midnight sun).

Rovaniemi: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.