Observing the weather in Rovaniemi and Levi - and what it means for Northern Lights Hunters

We at Beyond Arctic have over a decade of experience in analysing the local weather and exploring the local landscape for the best locations for observing the Northern Lights. Over the years, we have built a vast base of knowledge of the local area, including lakesides, forest clearings, dark roadside resting areas and other great but hard-to-find locations – not to mention our own private locations. For this reason, we can confidently say we are the best and original aurora hunters (and photographers) in Rovaniemi!

Knowing all the best spots doesn’t help much, if you do not know where to go on any given night. As our teams prepare for the Northern Lights tours, the real work with the weather has already started early in the morning.

Our crew of experts analyse the weather data from multiple sources, looking at several weather forecast models. In the process, we have learned to interpret the accuracy of each model depending on the time of the year. Overall temperatures and even the daylight hours play a role. This way, we are best able to choose the right model to follow for each evening.

As we plan our routes for the Northern Lights hunting tours, we also make full use of our network of live camera feeds and webcams all over Lapland and satellite imaging services to determine the thickness of the cloud cover, wind direction, and which way the clouds are moving during the day and night. The same process is also repeated by the Beyond Arctic team in Levi, giving our team an extra benefit of having direct, live weather observations from both Rovaniemi and Levi!

However good our plans are, sometimes even the best predictions can sometimes prove inaccurate, and the only thing any aurora hunter can do is to go out and look for themselves. Our Northern Lights tour has been extended to give our teams the possibility to explore several directions, report back to our team, and coordinate a change of the route plan even in the middle of the hunt – all to guarantee you the best chance of seeing and photographing the Northern Lights.

December — the early winter weather in Rovaniemi

By December, the winter is usually already well established. There is often already snow on the ground, and daylight hours are limited to just a few hours each day.

• Average daily temperatures are around –7 °C with lows around –15 °C. Some days can be even colder than that.
• Snowfall is moderate: about 52 mm of snowfall over the month, with around 21 days seeing snow.
• Snow cover across Lapland in winter is usually reliable, with typical depths reaching 25–50 cm in many areas, especially in the Levi region and Northern Lapland.

Impact of the weather on Northern Lights viewing in December

December offers long, dark nights in Rovaniemi and Levi — a positive for seeing the Northern Lights — but also frequently overcast skies. However, it is rare to have cloudy skies everywhere. But because clouds block Northern Lights visibility, this is where Beyond Arctic’s experience and expertise in preparing for our Northern Lights tours with pro photographer plays a very important role. Knowing how to “read the sky” matters, and this is why we are so successful in finding clear skies and being able to see auroras when they appear!

January — the coldest time of the winter in Rovaniemi

In January, Rovaniemi weather typically reaches its coldest temperatures while there nights are still long and dark. The combination is dramatic but manageable with proper gear. Read more here for our tips and advice on how to dress for cold weather and different winter activities. 

• Average temperatures range from –30 °C to –15 °C.
• While average January temperatures in Rovaniemi may fluctuate between –7 °C and –15 °C, extremes down to –30 °C (or even colder) can (and do) occur.
• In extreme cases, temperatures as low as –40 °C have been recorded near Rovaniemi even in recent years.

Impact on Northern Lights viewing in Rovaniemi in January

The long nights remain favourable for auroras, and January is right in the middle of the unofficial “Aurora season” in Finnish Lapland. Fully clear sky opportunities all over Lapland can be somewhat rarer than later in the winter, but when they occur, the cold, dry air often yields crisp visibility.

Given the harsher cold, expect to spend more time planning for comfort: fabrics, layering, hand and foot warmers, and limiting exposure are critical. Our Northern Lights tours from Rovaniemi and Levi aim for darker, less cloudy zones.

February — daylight returns slowly to Rovaniemi

As February progresses, daylight returns more noticeably, though the weather in Rovaniemi remains cold. This is a beautiful time of the year with deep snow cover, and cold, bright winter days. Perfect for photography, hiking, and Northern Lights hunting!  Average high temperatures in February are about –8 °C and lows  are around –15 °C.

• A typical February temperature ranges from –20 °C to –15 °C. Some days can be even colder!
• During the core winter months (Dec–Feb) average temperatures in Lapland float between –16 °C and 3 °C (though this upper limit is more relevant to milder locations and quite rare)

Impact on Northern Lights viewing in Rovaniemi in February

February maintains good to great Aurora potential. Nights are long enough for dark-sky viewing from early evening to late at night, and skies often begin to clear more reliably than in mid-winter. Consider February a “sweet spot” month, balancing darkness with improving weather windows all over Lapland.

Because daylight increases, you will have more opportunities for daytime excursions as well. With Beyond Arctic, photography is included. This is a great time to enjoy winter activities in sunny weather (skiing, snowmobiling, husky and reindeer sleds) without sacrificing your nightly aurora plans. 

March — daylight dominance and transitional weather in Rovaniemi

March brings a subtle shift: nights are gradually becoming shorter, temperatures rise somewhat, and the balance between darkness and light begins to tip. You can see the daily sunrise and sunset times at https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/finland/rovaniemi.  

• Typical temperatures during March range from –15 °C to –5 °C. It can feel warmer as the sun finally begins to give off some warmth as well. Bring sunglasses for the brightest of days!
• In the night, temperatures drop from daytime to an average low of –9 °C and rise in the daytime on average near –3 °C, with snow depth in Rovaniemi climbing to 60–70 cm toward the month’s end.

Impact of weather in Rovaniemi on Northern Lights in March

March remains strongly within the official aurora window and is great time to visit Rovaniemi to see the Northern Lights and engaging in all types of winter activities. However, as the nights shorten, days grow longer and the twilight time grows, your time window for complete darkness narrows. In general, skies tend to be clearer across Lapland than in earlier winter months, improving viewing odds when conditions align. In fact, March and September around the equinoxes are among the statistically stronger periods for seeing the Aurora.

By March, snow cover is often its deepest, making many daytime activities especially scenic. But also, rising temperatures and greater sun exposure can lead to more variable cloud patterns. A seasoned aurora hunter will navigate to clear patches and change locations frequently to ensure the best chance to see the Northern Lights in Rovaniemi and Levi. 

Choosing the best month to visit Rovaniemi: trade-offs and tips

Here are a few guidelines based on the month-by-month patterns in weather in Rovaniemi:

• Darkness vs. clear skies: December and January maximize darkness, but they also tend to be the most overcast in general. February and March offer better sky clarity, though with somewhat shorter nights overall. Still, the nights are dark enough for auroras until mid-April.
• Cold weather: The cold peaks in January; if you are sensitive or want somewhat milder but still wintery conditions, February or March may offer a more balanced experience.
• Snow reliability: Snow is generally assured from December onward, with snow depth building into March. Enjoy snow-based activities and scenic winter landscapes and photography!
• Daylight for daytime activities: If you want a balance — enough daylight to enjoy outdoor excursions yet dark nights — February and early March often hit the sweet spot.

Sample daily rhythm and advice for tour planning in Rovaniemi

A typical winter day might begin late (sunrise around mid-morning in January), with daylight fading by early afternoon. Use the daylight hours for excursions (snowshoeing, sledding, forest walks) while conserving energy for the evening.   

Starting from January, Beyond Arctic offers daily afternoon departures for outdoor activities to make sure you can get rest after a long night of aurora hunting, and still enjoy winter activities the day after!  In the evening, enjoy a good dinner and get some rest, then head out between 08:00PM and 01:00AM for our Northern Lights Hunting with pro photographer tour.  

How teaming up with Beyond Arctic increases your chances to see the Northern Lights:

1. We prioritize areas with clear skies, always making a careful plan for the hunt. Cloud cover is your main risk to visibility.
2. We stay away from light pollution. Traveling outside the city, choosing locations with minimal light pollution, street lighting and other distractions. Our tours always take this into consideration.
3. We use aurora and weather forecasts and indices to plan our excursions.

What can you do to when planning a trip to Rovaniemi?  

• Plan ahead and book Northern Lights tours for the first nights you are in Rovaniemi.
• Build in multiple aurora-chasing nights rather than relying on a single attempt.
• Dress carefully: extremely low temperatures are routine — even in “warmer” months. Bring layered clothing with high insulation, warm gloves, boots, and face protection. Use hand/foot warmers if needed. Winter clothing is included on all our winter tours.

Final thoughts

If your priority is maximizing the chance of seeing the Northern Lights, February and early March are good choices: nights are still long, skies tend to clear more often, and it isn’t quite as frigid as mid-January. If your priority is deep winter ambiance with minimal daylight, December or January might appeal more — but do expect the coldest weather with short days and long dark afternoons.

Whatever your window, plan for flexibility and multiple nights of aurora hunting with us. With proper preparation and a bit of patience, Rovaniemi’s winter offers a winter landscape full of contrasts and Arctic adventures — and, with luck and clear skies, a chance to catch the Northern Lights on camera to take home with you.

Do you need inspiration or help booking a tour? 

Follow us on Instagram (@beyondarctic) and TikTok (@beyondarctic) for more content. Got questions? Contact our Arctic experts by phone or WhatsApp (+358 50 323 1090) or email (contact@beyondarctic.com)

See you soon!