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Oct 07, 2026

Dry cold in Lapland: what humidity and wind chill really do

Guests arriving in Rovaniemi often tell us the same thing after their first walk outside: the cold feels different from what they expected. Some find it gentler than a raw, damp winter day at home; others are caught out the moment the wind picks up. Both reactions have a scientific explanation, and it helps to understand it before you head out.

Below we explain what “dry cold” means, what actually makes cold feel harsher, and what the Finnish Meteorological Institute (FMI) and other weather services say about it. At the end we show how this shapes the way we dress and guide you on our tours.

Short answer: very cold air can hold only a small amount of water vapour, so even when the relative humidity reads high, the air contains little moisture in absolute terms. That is the “dry cold” people notice. What makes the cold feel much harsher is wind: wind strips heat from exposed skin faster, which is what the wind chill or “feels like” temperature describes. Dry layers, mittens and covered skin make the biggest difference.

At a glance

• From: 89 €
• Experience type: Snowshoeing / Nature tours
• Duration: 3,5 hours
• Difficulty: Easy
• Book in Advance: Cut off: 3 hours before start time
• Included: Snowshoes & Ski Poles; A Tour Guide in English (other languages available on request: Spanish, Portuguese, French, Italian, German & Finnish. PLEASE NOTE LIMITED AVAILABILITY FOR OTHER LANGUAGES) If another language is required. Please send us an email or WhatsApp after booking.; A traditional Teepee; Winter clothing (Adult & Child size), overalls, boots & gloves; Local Snacks & Drinks; Pick-ups and drop-offs are included in the price in 10 km radius from Rovaniemi city center; Information about Finnish nature; Photos taken with your own device; Air conditioned car
• Cancellation: Free cancellation 24 hours before the activity. We will charge a cancellation fee of 100% if booking is cancelled less than 24 hours before the activity.
• Accessibility: Not wheelchair accessible; Not stroller accessible; Not recommended for children under 7 years old

What people mean by “dry cold”

“Dry cold” is an everyday phrase rather than a scientific term. It usually describes a still, clear winter day where the air feels crisp and the snow squeaks underfoot, as opposed to a damp coastal winter hovering around freezing, where cold seems to creep into your clothes.

The key is the difference between relative humidity and the actual amount of moisture in the air. The US National Weather Service explains that relative humidity can be misleading: a temperature and dew point that are equal give 100 % relative humidity, even on a cold day, while a warm day with a lower relative humidity can hold far more moisture. The dew point is the better measure of how much water vapour the air really contains.

Humidity in a Finnish winter: high percentage, little water

This is why the numbers can surprise you. According to the Finnish Meteorological Institute, relative humidity in Finland reaches its mean high in November and December, at around 90 %, and is lowest in February. So on paper, early winter air is “humid”.

But because the air is so cold, that 90 % represents very little water vapour in absolute terms. When that air comes indoors and warms up, its relative humidity drops sharply, which is why hotel rooms and cabins in Lapland can feel dry in winter and why lip balm and a water bottle are worth packing.

Wind chill: the part of the cold you actually feel

Temperature alone does not tell you how cold you will feel. The US National Weather Service defines the wind chill temperature as how cold people and animals feel when outside, based on the rate of heat loss from exposed skin caused by wind and cold. As the wind increases, it draws heat from the body, driving down skin temperature and eventually the internal body temperature.

Wind chill does not make objects colder than the air. The same source points out that a car radiator or water pipe is only cooled more quickly to the actual air temperature, never below it. Your skin is different because your body is constantly producing heat, and the wind keeps carrying it away.

The FMI’s local forecasts show a “feels like” temperature that takes wind and humidity into account. In the FMI forecast view, the figure symbol turns blue when the feels-like temperature is at least 5 °C colder than the measured temperature, and the institute notes that individual differences in how people perceive cold are considerable.

How long and how cold is winter in Lapland?

The FMI’s description of the Finnish seasons gives the big picture:

• Winter usually begins in mid-October in Lapland and lasts about 200 days there, compared with about 100 days in south-western Finland.
• Permanent snow covers open ground about two weeks after winter begins, and the snow is deepest around mid-March, on average 60 to 90 cm in eastern and northern Finland.
• The coldest day of winter is usually at the end of January.
• The coldest temperatures reached in Lapland and eastern Finland are from −45 °C to −50 °C. These are extremes, not everyday conditions.

On wind, the FMI notes that average wind speeds inland are between 2.5 and 4 m/s and are typically highest in winter. Remember too that movement creates its own wind: a snowmobile ride or a crossing of an open lake puts moving air on your face even on a still day.

Why dry clothing matters more than thick clothing

Because wind and contact with anything wet carry heat away from the body, the aim is to keep a still, dry layer of air next to your skin. The US National Weather Service’s cold-weather advice is short and practical: dress in layers, mittens are better than gloves, wear a warm hat and wrap up well, and if you get wet, change into dry clothing as soon as you are back inside.

In practice that means a thin base layer, a warm middle layer and a windproof outer layer, and adjusting as you go. If you start to sweat while walking uphill in snowshoes, open a zip before you get damp rather than after. The same NWS guidance lists redness or pain, a white or greyish-yellow skin area, unusually firm or waxy skin and numbness as signs of frostbite, so tell your guide straight away if you notice any of them.

How this shows up on our tours

We plan every winter tour around this. On our Snowshoeing Tour in the Private Kuoksa Wilderness (from 89 €, 3,5 hours, difficulty: easy), the day begins at our dressing room, where we provide the winter clothing you need, including overalls, boots and gloves, together with snowshoes and ski poles. Then we drive about 40 minutes to our private area for a snow hike in the forest, finishing with a light barbecue over a campfire and hot berry juice in a traditional teepee.

Moving at a steady pace keeps you warm; the campfire and hot drink are there for when you stop. If the weather turns extreme, the product may be cancelled or rescheduled, as our product page states, because a good day outdoors has to be a safe one.

If you want your own gear for the whole trip, you can also rent premium winter clothing in Rovaniemi from 45 € a set. All our winter activities are listed on our activities in Rovaniemi page.

Other ways to spend a cold day with us

For a longer day outdoors, the Korouoma Frozen Waterfalls Hike (from 139 €, 6 hours, difficulty: challenging) includes winter clothing and ice grippers for your shoes. For a gentler day, our Ranua WildLife Zoo Park Visit (from 139 €, 5 hours) includes winter clothing and lunch. Our guide to husky tours in Rovaniemi and our article on traditional Finnish sauna experiences, the Finnish way to warm up afterwards, are good next reads.

Frequently asked questions

Is Lapland’s cold really “dry”?

In absolute terms, yes: very cold air holds little water vapour. The relative humidity can still read high, around 90 % on average in November and December according to the FMI, because the air is close to saturation at its low temperature.

What is wind chill?

Wind chill is how cold people and animals feel outside, based on how fast exposed skin loses heat to wind and cold. It does not cool objects below the actual air temperature.

Where can I check the “feels like” temperature?

The Finnish Meteorological Institute’s local forecast shows a feels-like temperature that accounts for wind and humidity. The symbol turns blue when it is at least 5 °C colder than the measured temperature.

Do I need my own winter clothing for the snowshoe tour?

No. Our Snowshoeing Tour in the Private Kuoksa Wilderness includes winter clothing in adult and child sizes, overalls, boots and gloves, as well as snowshoes and ski poles. Bring your own warm base layers.

Is the snowshoe tour suitable for children?

Our product page states that it is not recommended for children under 7 years old, and children under 13 must be accompanied by adults paying the full price.

What happens if it is extremely cold on my tour day?

Our product pages state that tours may be cancelled or rescheduled in extreme weather conditions. We will contact you if that happens.

Ready to book?

You may also like

• Korouoma Frozen Waterfalls Hike — from 139 €, 6 hours
• Ranua WildLife Zoo Park Visit — from 139 €, 5 hours

Sources

• Finnish Meteorological Institute – Pakkasen purevuus (wind chill / feels-like temperature)
• Finnish Meteorological Institute – Seasons in Finland
• Finnish Meteorological Institute – Climate elements
• US National Weather Service – Understanding Wind Chill
• US National Weather Service – Dew Point vs Humidity
• US National Weather Service – During Extremely Cold Weather