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March vs April for scandinavian travel

Replies: 8 - Last Post: Jan 11, 2013 4:25 AM Last Post By: johnthefinn

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snowandsun

snowandsun avatar

Jan 8, 2013 3:15 PM
Posts:  7

March vs April for scandinavian travel

Hi, I am planning on traveling Copenhagen, Stockholm, Helsinki, St Petersburg and Moscow in March or April of this year. I do have a bit of flexibility on the month but neither are great options weatherwise from what i understand. The deciding factor will be weather. I can make April work, but March would be preferable. Is there going to be much difference in weather? or enough to try to bend my schedule to go in april instead of march? thanks so much!!

lucapal

lucapal avatar

Jan 9, 2013 12:49 AM
Posts:  10,192

1

April will give you more light,longer days and (maybe) better weather too.....less cold anyway.

Though don't expect nice sunny days everyday ;-)

Bjoern

Bjoern avatar

Jan 9, 2013 1:45 AM
Posts:  852

2

Now you are only planning to visit big cities so weather may not be too important.
Weather in this region is unpredictable (i.e. there in no month/period with a very low amount of rain/snow) but a few facts:

After late March there is at least 12 hours of daylight.
Even in the most southern of the places - Copenhagen - nothing will be green until late April
March i normally in reality a winter month in Denmark (with patches of "false spring" - definately winter in the other Scandinavian city you visit (Stockholm) and in the non-Scandinavian part of your trip (Finland and Russia).

Fieldgate

Fieldgate avatar

Jan 9, 2013 2:57 AM
Posts:  2,784

3

The later the better, at least when you consider the weather.
March could be still end of winter with slush in the streets, wet and cold. April will give you better chances to see some sunshine, and more daylight.

mickyfinn

mickyfinn avatar

Jan 9, 2013 4:41 AM
Posts:  1,936

4

April, no contest!

johnthefinn

johnthefinn avatar

Jan 9, 2013 12:00 PM
Posts:  174

5

The sea ice on the Finnish coast breaks up around the end of March. I've occasionally worn T-shirts by late April (about 1 year in 6) but never in March. If you really can't make it April, go as late in March as you possibly can unless you want snow and ice at least at the north-eastern end of your trip.

snowandsun

snowandsun avatar

Jan 10, 2013 5:23 PM
Posts:  7

6

It's really rain and slushy snow i'd like to avoid. But i hadnt thought about day light hours...always important for someone who likes to take pictures. April it is! thanks!

lucapal

lucapal avatar

Jan 10, 2013 10:05 PM
Posts:  10,192

7

You're welcome...have a good trip.

johnthefinn

johnthefinn avatar

Jan 11, 2013 4:25 AM
Posts:  174

8

For the northeastern part of your trip, rain and slushy snow aren't unlikely in either month. But you've made the right decision, probability-wise. Enjoy!
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