AI-generatedKiruna at a glance
- Best time
- Jul
- Warmest month
- Jul · 16°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,510 h
- Rain a year
- 657 mm
- Climate
- Continental
- Time zone
- UTC+1 / UTC+2
- Elevation
- 579 m
Climate in Kiruna
Kiruna has warm to hot summers and cold winters with occasional snow. July is the warmest month with average highs of 16 °C, while January is the coolest at −11 °C. With around 1,510 hours of sunshine a year, Kiruna is rather dull; May is the sunniest month with 7.7 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Poor
Best time to visit: July
Keep in mindSnow
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about -4°
- Midday, 13:00: about 0°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 0°
- Evening, 20:00: about -2°
- Night, 23:00: about -2°
07:3817:11
Cold evenings: bring a warm jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 07:03–09:02 · evening 15:47–17:46
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:42–07:03 · evening 17:46–18:08
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Kiruna in October?
In October, Kiruna is freezing cold: daytime highs average 1 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−4 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 12 days, totalling 56 mm. Snow falls on about 6 days. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Kiruna.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 9 h 33 min07:38 – 17:11
- UV index
- 0 · lowclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 13 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 78 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Snow days
- 6 days1 cm or more of fresh snowAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+2Europe/Stockholm
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %0 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %0 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %46 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Nature escape”.
What to pack in October
- Warm jacket
- Hat, scarf & gloves
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Sunshine hours in Kiruna
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 2.4 of 9.5 hours of daylight in Kiruna, 25 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 8 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Kiruna
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 0 · lowLittle protection needed; sunglasses on bright days.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 4).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- over 2 h
- Fair skin
- over 2 h
- Light brown skin
- over 2 h
- Olive skin
- over 2 h
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Kiruna: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Kiruna has about 12 rainy days with 56 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Kiruna
How breezy and how cloudy Kiruna is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Kiruna typically peaks at 13 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, light breeze.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 78 % of the sky over Kiruna: mostly cloudy, with about 2.4 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Snow in Kiruna
When Kiruna is likely to be white: the chance of seeing snow during a week's stay, the days with fresh snow and how much falls. Tap a month to select it.
Snow calendar
- hardly any
- possible
- likely
- very likely
In October, Kiruna has about 6 days with at least 1 cm of fresh snow, 25 cm in total. The chance of seeing snow during a week's stay is 51 out of 100: likely.
Snow days bring at least 1 cm of fresh snow. Fresh snow comes from ERA5 snowfall (1996–2025) at the height of the place, not on the slopes above it; the snow chance also weighs whether the snow settles. An estimate from climate averages, not a snow report.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Kiruna
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Frost below 0°
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
FrostOctober: nights around −4°. Heating and warm bedding are a must.
The coolest nights are in January (−16°), the warmest in July (9°). Nights fall below 8 °C on average from August to June, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 19 | −11° | −16° | 0.2 h | 9 | 36 |
| FebruaryFeb | 20 | −10° | −16° | 2.4 h | 9 | 30 |
| MarchMar | 30 | −6° | −12° | 5.1 h | 8 | 26 |
| AprilApr | 34 | 0° | −7° | 6.7 h | 8 | 31 |
| MayMay | 32 | 6° | −2° | 7.7 h | 10 | 52 |
| JuneJun | 51 | 12° | 5° | 7.7 h | 13 | 75 |
| JulyJul | 63 | 16° | 9° | 7.3 h | 15 | 110 |
| AugustAug | 47 | 14° | 7° | 5.5 h | 14 | 86 |
| SeptemberSep | 17 | 8° | 3° | 4.0 h | 12 | 75 |
| OctoberOct | 14 | 1° | −4° | 2.4 h | 12 | 56 |
| NovemberNov | 18 | −6° | −11° | 0.6 h | 10 | 40 |
| DecemberDec | 16 | −9° | −14° | 0.0 h | 10 | 40 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
67.86° N, 20.23° E · 579 m · Europe/Stockholm
Best time to visit Kiruna
The best time to visit Kiruna is in July. Rain is most frequent from June to September; the wettest month is July with 110 mm.
Kiruna through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Kiruna in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- -6–6 °C by day
- 7 h of sun a day
- 26 rainy days in all
Kiruna in summer
Jun – Aug
Fair
- 12–16 °C by day
- 7 h of sun a day
- 42 rainy days in all
Kiruna in autumn
Sep – Nov
Poor
- -6–8 °C by day
- 2 h of sun a day
- 33 rainy days in all
Kiruna in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- -11–-9 °C by day
- 1 h of sun a day
- 28 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Kiruna for you.
Your best months: July
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Kiruna
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
July has the better holiday weather in Kiruna: score 63 against 14. In July, days are 15 °C warmer than in October. July has 3 more rainy days. The sun shines 5 hours longer a day in July.
| Month | October | July |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 14 | 63better |
| Day high | 1° | 16° |
| Night low | −4° | 9° |
| Sunshine | 2.4 h | 7.3 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 12better | 15 |
| Rainfall | 56 mmbetter | 110 mm |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
No month
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Jun – Sep
12 or more rainy days
Snow
Oct – May
Snow on 2 or more days
Kiruna month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
19January-11° · 0 h
In January, Kiruna is freezing cold: daytime highs average −11 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−16 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 0 hours a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 9 days, totalling 36 mm. Snow falls on about 9 days. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Kiruna.
Kiruna in January20February-10° · 2 h
In February, Kiruna is freezing cold: daytime highs average −10 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−16 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 9 days, totalling 30 mm. Snow falls on about 8 days. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Kiruna.
Kiruna in February30March-6° · 5 h
In March, Kiruna is freezing cold: daytime highs average −6 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−12 °C). Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 8 days, totalling 26 mm. Snow falls on about 7 days. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Kiruna.
Kiruna in March34April0° · 7 h
In April, Kiruna is freezing cold: daytime highs average 0 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−7 °C). The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 8 days, totalling 31 mm. Snow falls on about 6 days. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Kiruna.
Kiruna in April32May6° · 8 h
In May, Kiruna is cold: daytime highs average 6 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−2 °C). The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 52 mm in total. Snow falls on about 4 days. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Kiruna.
Kiruna in May51June12° · 8 h
In June, Kiruna is cool: daytime highs average 12 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 75 mm in total. All in all, June is a so-so month for a holiday in Kiruna.
Kiruna in June63July16° · 7 h
In July, Kiruna is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 110 mm. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Kiruna.
Kiruna in July47August14° · 6 h
In August, Kiruna is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 86 mm. All in all, August is a so-so month for a holiday in Kiruna.
Kiruna in August17September8° · 4 h
In September, Kiruna is cold: daytime highs average 8 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 75 mm in total. Snow falls on about 2 days. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Kiruna.
Kiruna in September14October1° · 2 h
In October, Kiruna is freezing cold: daytime highs average 1 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−4 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 12 days, totalling 56 mm. Snow falls on about 6 days. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Kiruna.
Kiruna in October18November-6° · 1 h
In November, Kiruna is freezing cold: daytime highs average −6 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−11 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 1 hours a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 10 days, totalling 40 mm. Snow falls on about 8 days. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Kiruna.
Kiruna in November16December-9° · 0 h
In December, Kiruna is freezing cold: daytime highs average −9 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−14 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 0 hours a day. Precipitation, often as snow, falls on about 10 days, totalling 40 mm. Snow falls on about 9 days. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Kiruna.
Kiruna in DecemberKiruna compared
Put Kiruna side by side with another destination.
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Kiruna vs. Narvik
In October Kiruna has the better holiday weather (score 14 vs. 4). During the day Narvik is 3 °C warmer than Kiruna. Narvik gets one more hour of sunshine a day.
| in October | Kiruna | Narvik |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 14 | 4 |
| Daytime high | 1° | 4° |
| Sea | – | 9° |
| Sunshine | 2 h | 3 h |
| Rainy days | 12 | 16 |
| Best time | Jul | May – Jul |
Through the year
Sweden in October: the best places
In October, Kiruna ranks 13 of 25 destinations in this country.
- Malmö12°12°35
- 2Lund12°32
- 3Linköping10°26
- 4Uppsala9°25
- 5Västerås9°24
- 6Stockholm10°10°24
- 7Jönköping10°24
- 8Gothenburg11°12°24
- 13KirunaThis page1°14
Planning a trip to Kiruna
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Kiruna in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Kiruna has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 53) and its weakest during October half-term (score 14).
- 33
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- −2 °C by day
- 6.2 h of sun a day
- 8 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
- 36
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 7 °C by day
- 7.7 h of sun a day
- 11 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
- 53
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
FairBest holidays
- 14 °C by day
- 6.1 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 14
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 1 °C by day
- 2.4 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
- 18
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- −10 °C by day
- 0.1 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 3 h 5 min
- Distance
- 2,140 km
- Time zone
- UTC+2
- Jet lag
- Hardly any (under 3 h)
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Frequently asked questions about Kiruna
When is the best time to visit Kiruna?
The best time to visit Kiruna is in July. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Kiruna?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 16 °C and nights around 9 °C. January is the coolest month at −11 °C.
When does it rain most in Kiruna?
Rain is most frequent from June to September; the wettest month is July with 110 mm. The driest month is March with 26 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Kiruna get?
Kiruna gets around 1,510 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is May with 7.7 hours a day; in December there are 0.0 hours a day.
What time zone is Kiruna in?
Kiruna uses the time zone Europe/Stockholm: UTC+1 in January and UTC+2 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Kiruna?
A nonstop flight from London to Kiruna takes about 3 h 5 min, for a straight-line distance of about 2,140 km.
Which school holidays are best for Kiruna?
Kiruna has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 53) and its weakest during October half-term (score 14). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 33, May half-term 36, Summer holidays 53, October half-term 14, Christmas holidays 18.
Near Kiruna
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Kiruna
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Kiruna's – good alternatives.