Rovaniemi in January
Deep snow and auroras
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
January is one of the best months to visit Rovaniemi.
January is deep winter: snow, frozen rivers and dark skies for the northern lights.
January in detail
What January actually feels like
- Weather
- -14–-7°C
- Very cold, around -7°C by day, with snow cover.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Busy in early January, then calmer.
- Prices
- €€€
- Rates fall after New Year.
+Snowy forests and northern lights.
–Very cold and short days.
My tip for January
Dress in layers. Tours lend warm overalls.
- Northern lights
- Husky rides
How January compares
Against the other eleven months
3rd of 12 overall in Rovaniemi, 6th for weather, 9th for space, 9th for value. The emptiest month is May; the best value is May.
See all twelve months for RovaniemiPlan around
What’s on in Rovaniemi in January
- Extreme cold
- Daytime highs around -7°C, much colder at night.
January–February
Not set on January?
Even stronger months in Rovaniemi
Also good in January
Weather
Weather in Rovaniemi in January
In January Rovaniemi averages a high of -7°C (19°F) and a low of -13°C (9°F), with about 46 mm of rain or snow over 11 wet days. The warmest month is July (around 20°C) and the coolest is January (around -7°C); the wettest month is July.
- Average high
- -7°C
- 19°F
- Average low
- -13°C
- 9°F
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Wet days
- 11
Climate data: Finnish Meteorological Institute (Rovaniemi Airport, 1991–2020). Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Rovaniemi in January: the questions people ask
- Is January a good time to visit Rovaniemi?
- January is one of the best months to visit Rovaniemi. It ranks 3 of 12 months in Rovaniemi overall (6 for weather, 9 for space, 9 for value). The main upside: Snowy forests and northern lights. The main downside: Very cold and short days.
- What is the weather like in Rovaniemi in January?
- Average highs are around -7°C and lows around -13°C. Expect about 46 mm of rain or snow over roughly 11 wet days. Very cold, around -7°C by day, with snow cover. For comparison, the warmest month is July (around 20°C) and the coolest is January (around -7°C).
- Is Rovaniemi crowded in January?
- Crowds are moderate. Busy in early January, then calmer. The quietest month is May.
- How expensive is Rovaniemi in January?
- Prices are at level 3 of 5 (€€€). Rates fall after New Year. The best-value month is May.
- When is the best time to visit Rovaniemi?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, March is the best month overall (January ranks 3 of 12). The quietest month is May and the best value is May.
Ready to book January in Rovaniemi?
Snowy forests and northern lights.
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