Following an exceptionally sun-poor start to December 2025—previously reported as less than five hours of sun in many areas up to mid-month—this year ranks among Sweden's darkest in 15 years. Relief is coming: sunny weather is expected across much of the country by the weekend, coinciding with the winter solstice on Sunday when days begin to lengthen.
Sweden's December 2025 continues one of the darkest in 15 years, with gray, sun-poor weather dominating. Stockholm exemplifies this, logging only about half an hour of sunshine up to December 17 per preliminary SMHI figures—echoing the dismal 4 hours for the full month in 2020. Meteorologist Kjell Lund notes such conditions are uncommon but not unprecedented.
A welcome shift arrives by the weekend as drier high-pressure air influences nearly all of Sweden. Lingering fog may affect the south, but from Mälardalen northward—especially northern Sweden outside mountains—sunny skies are forecast for Sunday.
December 21 marks the winter solstice, the year's longest night and bottom of the daylight 'valley.' Change is gradual: by December 28, days gain about 10 more minutes of light; by late January, ~45 minutes weekly; and February nears an hour per week. 'Now we're heading toward lighter times,' Lund says.
This high pressure also keeps the south snow-free, with the snow line near Örnsköldsvik. Expect similar conditions on Christmas Eve, per Lund.
