Weather is a major topic in Finland, and for good reason. The country’s climate varies dramatically throughout the year, offering everything from bright summer nights to freezing winter days. Talking about the weather is also a favorite small-talk subject in Finland, making it a crucial part of daily conversation. Whether you’re enjoying the first blossoms of spring, basking in the midnight sun, or navigating a fierce snowstorm, knowing Finnish weather vocabulary helps you feel more connected to the seasons and culture.
In this post, we’ll explore the essential Finnish weather-related vocabulary, breaking it down by seasons, times of day, and specific weather phenomena. By the end, you’ll be able to describe the sunny joys of summer, the magic of snowy nights, and even brave conversations about storms in Finnish!
1. Spring – Kevät
Spring in Finland is a time of transformation, when snow melts and nature begins to awaken. The weather can be unpredictable, so it’s useful to know how to describe both chilly mornings and sunny afternoons.
Vocabulary List:
- kevät – spring
- lämpötila – temperature
- sulaa – to melt
- räntä – sleet
- aurinko paistaa – the sun is shining
- tuulinen – windy
- kosteus – humidity
- halla – frost
- kevätpäivä – spring day
- Sataa vettä. – It’s raining.
Example Sentences:
- “Kevät tuo tullessaan auringon ja sulavan lumen.” (Spring brings sunshine and melting snow.)
- “Tänään lämpötila nousee kymmeneen asteeseen.” (Today, the temperature will rise to ten degrees.)
- “Sulaa lumi tekee kadut liukkaiksi.” (Melting snow makes the streets slippery.)
- “Onko ulkona vielä halla yöllä?” (Is there still frost outside at night?)
- “Räntä tekee kevätsään märäksi ja viileäksi.” (Sleet makes spring weather wet and chilly.)
2. Summer – Kesä
Summer is cherished in Finland, with long, sunny days and short, magical nights. The weather is warm but rarely scorching, making it the perfect time for outdoor activities.
Vocabulary List:
- kesä – summer
- helle – heatwave
- auringonpaiste – sunshine
- pilvinen – cloudy
- sateenkaari – rainbow
- kesäsade – summer rain
- ukkonen – thunderstorm
- tuulenvire – breeze
- kuuma – hot
- On kaunis päivä. – It’s a beautiful day.
Example Sentences:
- “Kesä Suomessa on valoisa ja lämmin.” (Summer in Finland is bright and warm.)
- “Hellepäivinä ihmiset käyvät uimassa järvessä.” (On hot days, people go swimming in the lake.)
- “Kesäsateen jälkeen näkyy usein sateenkaari.” (After a summer rain, a rainbow often appears.)
- “Ukkonen jyrisee tänään iltapäivällä.” (Thunder will rumble this afternoon.)
- “On kaunis päivä, joten lähdetään piknikille!” (It’s a beautiful day, so let’s go for a picnic!)
3. Autumn – Syksy
Autumn in Finland is a mix of vibrant colors and cooling temperatures. Rain becomes more frequent, and the days gradually grow shorter, signaling the approach of winter.
Vocabulary List:
- syksy – autumn
- ruska – autumn foliage
- viileä – cool
- sateinen – rainy
- sumu – fog
- myrsky – storm
- lehti – leaf
- pimeä – dark
- syyspäivä – autumn day
- Sataa kaatamalla. – It’s pouring rain.
Example Sentences:
- “Syksyllä puut saavat kauniin ruskan.” (In autumn, trees get beautiful autumn foliage.)
- “Aamut ovat viileitä, mutta päivällä voi olla lämmintä.” (Mornings are cool, but it can be warm during the day.)
- “Sumu peittää pellot syysaamuina.” (Fog covers the fields on autumn mornings.)
- “Pimeät illat tuovat syksyyn tunnelmaa.” (Dark evenings add atmosphere to autumn.)
- “Sataa kaatamalla, joten otan sateenvarjon mukaan.” (It’s pouring rain, so I’ll take an umbrella with me.)
4. Winter – Talvi
Winter in Finland is a season of snow, frost, and magical landscapes. The weather is cold and dark, but it’s also full of opportunities for winter sports and cozy indoor moments.
Vocabulary List:
- talvi – winter
- lumi – snow
- pakkanen – frost (below-freezing temperatures)
- jää – ice
- lumihiutale – snowflake
- räntä – sleet
- pakkaspäivä – frosty day
- lumisade – snowfall
- tuisku – snowstorm or blizzard
- On kylmä. – It’s cold.
Example Sentences:
- “Talvella lumi peittää koko maan.” (In winter, snow covers the entire country.)
- “Pakkanen voi laskea jopa -30 asteeseen.” (The frost can drop to as low as -30 degrees.)
- “Lumisateessa on ihanaa tehdä lumiukkoja.” (It’s wonderful to make snowmen during a snowfall.)
- “Jää tekee tiet liukkaiksi, joten ole varovainen.” (Ice makes roads slippery, so be careful.)
- “Tuisku vaikeuttaa näkyvyyttä, kun ajat autolla.” (A snowstorm makes visibility difficult when driving.)
5. Day – Päivä
Daytime in Finland changes drastically depending on the season, from almost endless light in summer to short, dusky days in winter. Knowing how to describe the conditions during the day is essential for conversations.
Vocabulary List:
- päivä – day
- aurinko – sun
- taivas – sky
- valkoinen – white (e.g., snowy landscapes)
- sininen – blue (e.g., clear sky)
- harmaa – gray (e.g., overcast)
- valoisa – bright
- sumuinen – foggy
- kirkas – clear
- On aurinkoinen päivä. – It’s a sunny day.
Example Sentences:
- “Talvipäivä voi olla lyhyt mutta valoisa.” (A winter day can be short but bright.)
- “Aurinko paistaa tänään siniseltä taivaalta.” (The sun is shining in a clear blue sky today.)
- “Harmaa päivä tekee maisemasta tylsän näköisen.” (A gray day makes the landscape look dull.)
- “Sumuinen aamu hälvenee puoleenpäivään mennessä.” (A foggy morning clears up by noon.)
- “Kirkas taivas lupaa lämmintä päivää.” (A clear sky promises a warm day.)
6. Night – Yö
Finnish nights are just as fascinating as the days, especially with the Northern Lights or the midnight sun. Whether you’re describing a cold winter night or a warm summer evening, these words will help you.
Vocabulary List:
- yö – night
- pimeä – dark
- tähti – star
- kuu – moon
- revontulet – Northern Lights
- hiljainen – quiet
- jäinen – icy
- lämmintä – warm (e.g., a summer night)
- keskiyö – midnight
- On tyyni yö. – It’s a calm night.
Example Sentences:
- “Revontulet valaisevat taivaan kylminä öinä.” (The Northern Lights light up the sky on cold nights.)
- “Tähtiä voi nähdä parhaiten pilvettömänä yönä.” (Stars are best seen on a cloudless night.)
- “Keskiyöllä on vielä valoisaa kesällä.” (At midnight, it’s still bright in summer.)
- “Pimeä talviyö on todella tunnelmallinen.” (A dark winter night is truly atmospheric.)
- “Hiljainen yö on täydellinen kävelyretkelle.” (A quiet night is perfect for a walk.)
7. Storm – Myrsky
Storms in Finland can be fierce, especially in the autumn and winter months. From thunderstorms in summer to snowstorms in winter, these weather events often make for dramatic conversations.
Vocabulary List:
- myrsky – storm
- ukkonen – thunderstorm
- salama – lightning
- tuuli – wind
- rajuilma – severe weather
- tuulenpuuska – gust of wind
- hirmumyrsky – hurricane (rare in Finland, but still useful)
- sateenvarjo – umbrella
- katkoksissa – disrupted (e.g., power outages)
- Varo myrskyä. – Beware of the storm.
Example Sentences:
- “Myrsky lähestyy lännestä nopeasti.” (The storm is approaching quickly from the west.)
- “Ukkonen jyrisi koko yön.” (The thunderstorm rumbled all night.)
- “Salama iski metsään ukkosmyrskyn aikana.” (Lightning struck the forest during the thunderstorm.)
- “Tuulenpuuskat voivat kaataa puita teille.” (Gusts of wind can topple trees onto roads.)
- “Rajuilma aiheutti sähkökatkoksia pienissä kylissä.” (The severe weather caused power outages in small villages.)
8. Northern Lights – Revontulet
The Northern Lights are one of Finland’s most magical natural phenomena, especially visible in the northern regions during clear, dark nights. Talking about them is a favorite topic for locals and visitors alike.
Vocabulary List:
- revontulet – Northern Lights
- taivas – sky
- valoilmiö – light phenomenon
- loistaa – to shine
- väreillä – to shimmer
- vihreä – green
- violetti – purple
- talviyö – winter night
- lappi – Lapland
- Näkyvätkö revontulet tänään? – Are the Northern Lights visible tonight?
Example Sentences:
- “Revontulet loistivat kirkkaasti viime yönä.” (The Northern Lights shone brightly last night.)
- “Parhaat revontulet näkee talviyöllä Lapissa.” (The best Northern Lights can be seen on winter nights in Lapland.)
- “Vihreä ja violetti väri tanssivat taivaalla.” (Green and purple colors danced across the sky.)
- “Taivas oli pilvetön, joten valoilmiö näkyi selvästi.” (The sky was cloudless, so the light phenomenon was clearly visible.)
- “Onko mahdollista nähdä revontulet etelässä?” (Is it possible to see the Northern Lights in the south?)
9. Useful Phrases About Weather
These common weather-related phrases will help you discuss the forecast, prepare for the day, or just engage in Finnish small talk about the weather.
Vocabulary List:
- Millainen sää on? – What’s the weather like?
- On aurinkoista. – It’s sunny.
- Sataa vettä. – It’s raining.
- Tuulee kovasti. – It’s very windy.
- On kylmä päivä. – It’s a cold day.
- Lämpötila on nollan alapuolella. – The temperature is below zero.
- Sää muuttuu nopeasti. – The weather is changing quickly.
- Ota sateenvarjo mukaan. – Take an umbrella with you.
- On sumuista tänä aamuna. – It’s foggy this morning.
- Tulee pakkasta illalla. – It will freeze tonight.
Example Sentences:
- “Millainen sää on tänään? Onko pakkasta?” (What’s the weather like today? Is it freezing?)
- “Tuulee kovasti, joten pue lämpimästi.” (It’s very windy, so dress warmly.)
- “Ota sateenvarjo mukaan, koska sataa vettä.” (Take an umbrella with you because it’s raining.)
- “Sää muuttuu nopeasti keväällä.” (The weather changes quickly in spring.)
- “On aurinkoista, joten lähdetään ulos.” (It’s sunny, so let’s go outside.)
Weather in Finland is more than just a conversation starter—it’s a way of life. With its dramatic seasonal shifts, breathtaking Northern Lights, and frequent storms, the Finnish climate offers endless topics to discuss. By learning the vocabulary and phrases we’ve covered, you’ll be ready to chat about sunny summer days, frosty winter nights, and everything in between.
Mastering weather-related words not only helps you plan your day but also connects you with Finnish culture. Whether you’re asking about the forecast, marveling at revontulet, or preparing for a snowstorm, these expressions make your interactions more authentic and meaningful.
Remember, the more you practice, the more natural these words will become. Embrace Finland’s ever-changing weather and let it inspire your Finnish language journey.
Kiitos ja hyvää säätä!
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