Sunshine in Stockholm has totalled less than an hour so far in December 2025, according to preliminary readings published via Sweden’s meteorological agency, the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI). The unusually grey start to the month has affected several parts of Sweden outside the far north, where the polar night is already underway.
SMHI data show a near-sunless start to December in Sweden
Preliminary SMHI figures for the first part of December suggest that several measuring stations have recorded less than one hour of sunshine so far this month. Stockholm is among the locations at the bottom of the table, alongside stations in Umeå, Luleå, Norrköping and Svenska Högarna.
Other parts of Sweden have seen slightly more sunshine, but totals remain modest for the season. In the same preliminary list, Karlskrona is among the sunniest places so far, followed by Hoburg on Gotland.
Low pressure and a low winter sun make clouds harder to clear
SMHI meteorologists have linked the lack of sunshine to a pattern dominated by low-pressure systems and extensive cloud cover. In summer, stronger solar heating can help break up clouds during the day. In early winter, the sun is lower and provides less energy, making it harder for the cloud layer to thin out.
The result is a familiar Nordic winter mix for coastal and southern Sweden: mild, humid air and persistent overcast skies. A short break in the weather pattern can still change the picture quickly, but the short-term outlook has remained unstable.
Sunshine hours are not daylight: Stockholm still gets a few hours of day
A key point is that sunshine duration is not the same thing as daylight. Stockholm still has several hours between sunrise and sunset in mid-December, but sunshine hours only count when the sun is strong enough and not blocked by clouds.
In meteorology, sunshine duration is typically recorded when direct solar irradiance exceeds a defined threshold. That means a bright-but-overcast day can deliver daylight without adding much—or anything—to the sunshine total.
Why the figures are described as preliminary
SMHI’s tallies are labelled preliminary because station data may be quality-checked and adjusted after initial reporting. The overall pattern is unlikely to change dramatically, but small revisions can affect close comparisons between locations.
The comparison with previous years will also matter. Stockholm can still end December with a normal monthly total if clearer weather arrives later in the month, but the window for catching up is limited by the season’s short days.
Living with a grey winter in the Nordics
In Sweden and across the Nordics, the darkest weeks of the year often coincide with discussions about daily routines, commuting and wellbeing. Public health agencies have highlighted how light influences sleep, alertness and circadian rhythms, and winter habits in northern Europe often adapt accordingly—from spending time outdoors around midday when possible, to using brighter indoor lighting during working hours.
If the current weather pattern persists, Sweden’s sunshine totals are likely to remain low across many stations until a more stable high-pressure system brings clearer skies.
