Lens-Artists Challenge #286 – Weather

Photography

Last week, Egidio had us looking at Warm colors. And I , for one enjoyed them, all the beautiful sunsets that came up in the posts.  If you missed it, here is a link to the challenge of  Warm Colors.

This week Anne from Slow Shutter Speed has us thinking and showcasing our weather shots. It is one of the favorite topics of discussion among us Finns. As the saying goes, the climate is what we expect, and the weather is what we get. Finland has four unique seasons. The temperature in Finland varies greatly by season and by region as the country is long and has differing coastal and inland climates. The Atlantic Ocean to the west and the Eurasian continent to the east together create the actively changing climate of Finland. Due to our country’s location, the weather can also change quickly, which makes predicting a bit tricky . One moment the sun might be shining, and the next rain is pouring down – such is life up North.

Snow covered lake and trees in Lahti

Winter The coldest day of the season is usually at the end of January in most regions. I  So you are protected from that cool winter breeze, especially in the coast.

February is a snowy and chilly winter month in all of Finland. The slower cooling of the Baltic Sea typically delays the coldest period on the Coast and the Archipelago until the beginning of February. The days are still relatively short but they are getting longer , the sun stays up for nine hours in Helsinki.

March, spring is starting to be on its way. After the spring equinox (March 21st) the days get increasingly longer. Warm clothes are still a must, as the month is likely to be cold with the deepest snow cover, especially in the north.

Spring After the long winter nature wakes up again in April. Spring begins early in the month in the coastal areas, and later in April elsewhere, In April, there’s an increasing amount of daylight and the snow starts to melt, yet it is still not summer.

The weather in May goes from warm to cool, so be ready for all kinds of weather. One thing for sure is that there will be more daylight.

In June, the Finnish summer kicks off. You can expect sunny and pleasant days, but there might be some rain, especially after midsummer. In June, you can experience the amazing midnight sun around the summer solstice.

July is peak summer and generally the hottest month of the year. Most Finns take their annual leave during this time. July is all about heat waves and sometimes even thundershowers, but overall, it’s the best of summer in Finland.

August is the second warmest month in Finland. Though it’s the rainiest in some areas, August usually brings many lovely summer days. The warm but darkening August nights are magical as summer comes to an end.

The autumn season may start pleasantly crisp and cool, but September can also get quite wet. You can expect cloudy skies and rain some of the time but also charming and cool sunny days. In northernmost Finland, the first snow often falls in September. Overall, it’s time to start dressing up warm again.

Autumn foliage makes October a beautiful month, yet the weather can be brisk, and the temperature is likely to drop from mild to frosty. November, the northern parts of the country usually have lasting snow cover already. Wind, rain, and slush are regular delights of the month. The grayest month of all. The month is quite cold, so adding warm layers underneath your winter gear is a must. December is dark, cold and mostly snowy.

I think I did all the months, but as a last note. I love taking misty photos. Droplets after rain, or a misty night. Frost is beautiful after a cold night. Clouds enhance the sunset photos. Rain, or snowing can be a great opportunity for a good shot. Hope you now have an ideal month in mind as when to visit Finland 😂

To participate in this challenge, you should link to or leave a comment on the week’s host’s original challenge post and please use the #Lens-Artists tag in your own post, so the post is easily found in the Reader.

Next week Donna leads us to the topic of sound, that should be an interesting one to tackle, I am already trying to come up with some ideas,

44 thoughts on “Lens-Artists Challenge #286 – Weather”

  1. Well, Ritva, you make it really hard to pick a month to visit Finland. Each set of photos you shared had beautiful photos and plenty of reasons to go to Finland. Beautiful country you live in!

  3. These are all wonderful, Ritva. I especially enjoyed the month-by-month review of the weather. Your header photo, though…wow. I think that is my favorite.

  6. Well Ritva, you have truly outdone yourself (and the rest of us!) with this incredible portfolio. I sincerely hope all of those who visit you this week will take the time to enlarge the images to truly appreciate them. Put together they are a master class in capturing the weather and its impact on landscape, detail and human interaction. Amazing post – you should be on the national tourist board!!

  7. Tis was an interesting look at your year, Ritva. The timeline certainly put it in perspective for those of us who don’t really know. Of course I love your images and would honestly love any season in Finland. I do wonder how cold the water gets. Not sure I could swim in it.

    1. Thanks Donna, I don’t often swim anymore, but some people swim all year round.

      The water temperature varies depending on the season and depth
      In summer, the surface water in open sea areas is usually 59–68 degrees, in the Bothnian Bay it is five degrees colder. During long warm periods, the coastal waters can warm well above 68 degrees.

      Today it’s 33F a hole is cut to the ice and people do swim in it.

  8. Gorgeous images, as always but I really enjoyed reading what it is like where you live. In some ways it sounds much like here, with a little less (thankfully/hopefully) less snow.
    Great post!

  10. Ritva, thank you for your pictorial look at your seasons in Finland. I loved the rich colors of Autumn, the lovely white snow falling in winter, the natural rebirth of nature in the spring and the fun times in summer. Great response!

  11. A beautiful journey to Finland, it would be hard to choose a season, they all have their selling points. Your galleries are stunning as always, Ritva. Not picking favourites this week, they all work as a set.

  12. Well, you certainly covered it all! Wonderful Finland – I know I have spent too little time there…Gorgeous photography as always, and they all show us the fresh, crisp air and the beautiful landscapes. Thank you for a marvelous season and weather tour!

  16. You’ve really taken us through the year in your lovely countryside. I could recognize the beauty of the little Ive seen: the cold white late winter and the beauty of long days in late summer. Your photos always make me want to go see Finland again, and now in the seasons that I’ve missed.

  18. Remarkable images! Thank you for showing us the seasons Finland through your lens, love it. All are beautifully captured.

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