Today's weather for Gothenburg, Sweden25th Jul 2008 14:10

back to top

Weather Overview for Gothenburg

Gothenburg is one of Sweden’s warmest cities thanks to its position on the west coast and the warming Gulf Stream current.

It is somewhat sheltered by the mountains of Norway and also Denmark so doesn’t receive as much precipitation as it might, though rain can be expected at any time of year and yearly rainfall is about 800mm on average. The rainfall is fairly stable across the year, although spring is noticeably drier.

Variation between the seasons is very marked. Average temperature ranges from 16°C in July to 0°C in December. But perhaps the biggest difference comes from the length of the day, which varies from over 18 hours in summer to 6 and a half in winter. It only really gets dark for a couple of hours in summer, and the evenings stay warm. In contrast, the long hours of darkness in winter can become suppressing.

 

Summer is a great time to visit Gothenburg. The city is alive with both locals and tourists out enjoying the good weather. There is a strong outdoor café culture and also a number of vibrant summer festivals, most notably the jazz festival. There are some fine beaches in the area too.

Temperatures in mid-summer are often in the low 20s, although it is not uncommon for them to rise up the high 20s and beyond. Thanks to the long hours of sunlight, the nights remain warm as well.

Rainfall is to be expected in summer, although summer downpours are usually over much quicker than at other times of year. July is the wettest summer month, with an average of 76mm.

 

Winter in Gothenburg is dark, but the city is frequently brightened up by a blanket of white snow and can become an enchanting place. The lack of daylight can be a downer for some but winter sports enthusiasts don’t mind.

Temperatures are cold but rarely extremely cold. Daily highs winter months don’t often get above 2°C or 3°C and the temperature frequently drops below freezing. While very low temperatures are rare they are not unheard of and -20°C has been recorded in the city before.

Snowfall can occur any time between late November and April, though it is most frequent from December to March. December and January see some snowfall on an average of about 10 days per month.

The weather changes fast in spring and autumn as the large shift between summer and winter weather takes place.

Early spring can still see significant snowfalls and freezing temperatures but by May the beginnings of the summer weather can be enjoyed. Spring is a great time to visit as the weather is often stable and it is the driest time of year.

Autumn is somewhat wetter; October is the wettest month of the year on average. The nights begin to draw in quickly so that you are well aware of winter’s approach. While September can still enjoy warm sunny weather, November can see the first snowflakes falling in the city

back to top