Unique Light Conditions

Finnish Lapland’s location above the Arctic Circle means our daylight has a unique tone all year long, from the summer’s midnight sun to the soft glow of the winter months.

You can’t help but notice how the light of Lapland just hits differently than light elsewhere. It’s a combination of our extreme northern latitudes as well as natural phenomena like heavy snowfall in winter, low hills and rolling marshes in lieu of skyscraping mountains and, of course, our big sky unpolluted by industry or light. Here are some of the best natural lighting conditions you could ever ask for.

Polar Night

Lapland’s location above the Arctic Circle also means that during the winter season, there is a period of polar night when the sun remains under the horizon allowing hardly any daylight. This period lasts for a few weeks to several months depending on location.

During this period, called kaamos in Finnish, the variance of day and night can still be clearly noted, but the amount of light is very limited. In practice, dusk begins before dawn turns into day, making the light conditions artistically interesting. The famous blue moment with different shades of purple can be utterly beautiful and something really special to catch on film.

Photo by: Simo Vilhunen

Midnight Sun

Summer stands for constant daylight around the clock. This provides opportunities for long shooting days and atmospheric sceneries that are possible only above the Arctic Circle. At Lapland’s northernmost, the sun does not set for 75 days during summer.

Often photographers and cinematographers speak of the golden hour and capturing the most beautiful golden light on camera as the sun sets. In Lapland, there is plenty of that golden hour time during the summer months.

Photo by: Lapland Material Bank | Visit Kemi

Northern Lights / Auroras

One of the most spectacular phenomena over the Arctic sky is the illuminating light show of the Northern Lights. It is only visible when it’s dark (and the darker the better) and is at its strongest after the heavy solar activity of the sun. The legend says it is the tail of a fox that whisks the lights into the sky as he travels…

The Northern Lights return to Lapland in autumn and stick around all winter long.

Photo by: Santa’s Hotels Arctic Eye

Let there be light…

Polar night happens during mid-winter, from December to January. February to April is a period of intense brightness, as the sun sparkles off the deep white snow. Don’t forget your sunglasses, sunblock and a dimmer for your camera.

Seasons in Lapland

Lapland’s weather might be milder than expected, despite its Arctic location. Winter temperatures may drop, but spring is bright and cool, while summer offers warmth and sunshine.

You hear Arctic, you think frostbite, blizzards, polar bears … but Finnish Lapland has much milder climate and weather than, for example, Siberia or Greenland. Among the many factors that influence the weather in Lapland, warm airflows from the Atlantic and the Gulf Stream help keep Lapland’s winters temperate.

That said, Lapland is almost 500 km long north to south, so weather and temperatures can vary wildly depending on where you are. The differences are especially noticeable in the autumn and spring, but all-year-round the temperature difference can be between 5 °C and 10 °C.

And for those who think Lapland has only two seasons, cold and not-as-cold:

2 Seasons from Flatlight Creative House

Summer – Green & Warm

Summers (June-August) in Lapland are generally mild with temperatures in the teens. There’s no rain season in summer, but occasionally thunderstorms will grumble overhead. Even under the Midnight Sun, nights can grow cool, but temperatures rarely fall below zero. In daytime, temperatures are often above 20 °C. If you’re on the fells, you can expect wind, especially if you’re above the treeline.

Lori Balton visits Lapland for a summery whirlwind tour

Photo by: Lapland Material Bank

Autumn – Cool & Colorful

From September to October, average temperatures in Lapland range from just under zero to around 10 °C. The weather in an Arctic autumn in often wetter than summer, with rain sometimes falling as many as 15 days per month. Around August, the sun starts setting, so you can expect proper nighttime in Autumn, especially after the equinox. The Northern Lights make their presence known once more. Toward the end of the season, the ground starts to freeze and you can expect occasional snowfall.

The autumn colors in Lapland are especially impressive. Don’t take our word for it; check out why director Jalmari Helander chose autumn for this WWII action film, Sisu.

Photo by: Lapland Material Bank | Marko Junttila

Winter – White & Wonderful

Okay, let’s address the woolly mammoth in the room. Winter is the longest season in Lapland, and the most popular for productions seeking a snowy wonderland or the stunning colors of Polar Night. Winter stretches from November well into March, and sometimes into May (depending on year and location). Mean temperatures are in the negative teens, but even temperatures as low as -30 °C are not uncommon. But the real cold comes from wind.

Conditions may sound harsh, but adequate clothing, preparation and help from your friendly film commission will help you work outdoors throughout winter.

Photo by: Lapland Material Bank | Arto Komulainen

Spring – Snow & Sunshine

Average temperatures in spring (March to May) usually hover around zero, going a few degrees in either direction. In early spring, the whole region is still snow-covered and can be quite blinding. By May, most snow cover has melted away. Spring is fairly dry with only a few centimeters of rain per month.

Check out our spring fam trip for more.

Photo by: Visit Kemijärvi