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What should I wear in Sweden in winter?

Warm coat, hat, mittens and winter shoes, with layers in the far north.

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Short answer

For winter in Sweden, pack a warm coat, wool cap, mittens and sturdy boots, because SMHI's January normal is about -1 °C in Stockholm and about -11 °C in Kiruna. Swedish Lapland advises insulated winter boots or boots with thick soles, and Visit Stockholm says to leave sneakers at home.

What to take seasonally to Sweden Illustration of a season wheel with snow, a birch leaf, sun and rain around a red Swedish cottage

Why

  1. According to SMHI, the January normal (1991–2020) is -0.9 °C in Stockholm, 0.8 °C in Gothenburg, 1.2 °C in Malmö, -8.5 °C in Luleå and -11.3 °C in Kiruna.
  2. Swedish Lapland says dressing in layers in really cold temperatures is key, and that the outermost layer should be wind and waterproof.
  3. Visit Stockholm advises a warm coat or jacket, a wool cap and warm mittens, and Göteborg & Co lists a wool cap, mittens and a scarf for winter.

Details

In the south and on the west coast the normal is around freezing, so a warm coat, hat and gloves are the basics. Further north the Swedish Lapland guide describes a thin moisture-wicking base layer, a fleece, down or synthetic mid layer and a wind and waterproof outer layer.

Tip

Choose boots with a thick sole and warm lining, because Swedish Lapland calls insulated or thick-soled boots essential.

What may differ

In Kiruna and Luleå the January normal is far lower than in Stockholm, so the northern advice from Swedish Lapland applies there.

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Sources

This answer is for reference only. Weather varies from year to year, so check the SMHI forecast before you travel.

What to take seasonally to Sweden

  • What should I wear in Gothenburg?

    What to wear in Gothenburg depends on the month, because SMHI's normal mean temperature is about 1 °C in January and about 18 °C in July.

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  • What should I wear in Sweden in March?

    In March, wear a warm jacket and scarf, because SMHI's normal mean temperature is about 2 °C in Stockholm and about 3 °C in Gothenburg.

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  • What should I wear in Sweden in November?

    In November, wear a warm coat and scarf, because SMHI's normal mean temperature is about 4 °C in Stockholm and about 5 °C in Gothenburg.

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  • Is it always dark in Sweden in winter (polar night)?

    No, in Stockholm the sun is up from 8:47 am to 2:55 pm in January, and polar night, with no sunrise at all, only occurs in the far north.

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