Helsinki, Finland

It is May 7, 2018 and we are at the port in Helsinki, Finland. Helsinki was established as a trading town by King Gustav I of Sweden in 1550. It became the capital in 1812. We toured Helsinki on a charter bus and learned a lot about the city and country.

Helsinki Cathedral

The Helsinki Cathedral is among the most prominent buildings in the city.

Sibelius Monument and Park

Other Pictures from Around Town

Summarized below is information about the climate. Notice the apartment balconies are enclosed in glass. For the long days of summer they use shades in front of many of the modern buildings windows.

Climate

Helsinki has a humid continental climate influenced by the Baltic Sea and North Atlantic Current. Temperatures during the winter are higher than the northern location might suggest, with the average in January and February around 23 degrees F. Occassionally, temperatures below -4 degrees F occur.

Because of the latitude, days last 5 hours and 48 minutes around the winter solstice with very low Sun (at noon, the Sun is a little bit over 6 degrees in the sky), and the cloudy weather at this time of year exacerbates darkness. Conversely, Helsinki enjoys long daylight during the summer; during the summer solstice, days last 18 hours and 57 minutes.

The average maximum temperature from June to August is around 66 to 72 degrees F. Due to the marine effect, especially during hot summer days, daily temperatures are a little cooler and night temperatures higher than further inland. The highest temperature ever recorded in the city center was 91.6 degrees F, on July 18, 1945, and the lowest was -30 degrees F, on January 10, 1987.