Sweden weather is characterized by the comparatively warmer temperatures the country experience, that are certainly not usually associated with areas on the same its northerly latitude. The uniqueness of Sweden weather can be attributed to maritime influences, particularly the warm North Atlantic Drift and the prevailing westerly airstreams.

There is however marked climatic difference between the northern and southern parts of the country. Weather in the northern parts of season is characterized by the rather long winter season that lasts for over seven months and the short, less than three months summer season. Meanwhile the south experiences the direct opposite: in Skane for example winter only lasts for two months and summer more than four.

Despite the significant shortness of summer, the northern regions are compensated by relatively high temperatures during the same season, longer days and noticeably less clouds in the sky.

Annual rainfall averages 61 cm (24 in), the bulk of it occurring during the summer season, while spring is the driest time in Sweden. The southwest of the country experience the heaviest rainfalls and along the frontier between Norrland and Norway; the average rainfall for Lapland is about 30 cm (12 in) a year.

Because of its northern location Sweden experiences abundant snowfall; in the north regions of the country snowfalls are so frequent the terrain remains covered in a white blanket for almost half of the year. During winter, Sweden’s surrounding seas, especially the Gulf of Bothnia, often experience severe ice conditions making navigation extremely difficult.