Hej Allihopa – hello everyone!
Sweden is famous for its beauty… and for its unstable weather. If you are one of those people who likes reels or tiktoks, you might have come across the ones that joke about extreme weathers here: snow in April, short summer, getting dark at 3pm. Well, I am here to tell you that all of that is not too far from the reality. It’s a common knowledge and a source of laughter here that Sweden has 11 seasons.
So, how do we get through them and deal with the fast-changing weather?
- Keep an eye out on the weather
It is sooo important that you know what the day is going to look like. Especially in the transitional months, weather can change within seconds. It might be all blue skies and sunshine in the morning, but come afternoon it can change into rain and wind. So, it is necessary to always check the weather apps before leaving the house or before making plans, just to know what to expect.
- Learn what to wear and what to pack
Once you check the weather and know what to expect, it is also important to understand what to wear and when. For colder months, it is crucial to have longer puffer jacket, that is wind and/or water proof. For the transitional months, it is an absolute must to have a good raincoat. I personally, always pack an umbrella in my bag, along with a scarf. This is so I can make it home in relative warmth. Some people always prefer to use a raincoat, while for me it varies. I find raincoat a bit tricky, as you can’t put it away as easily as you would an umbrella. At the same time, during a windy rain, it is almost impossible to use an umbrella. So, learn more about the options, listen to others’ advises and be prepared!
- Take vitamins/supplements and use sunscreen
This advice is particularly important for winter and summer. I personally wasn’t as used to taking supplements back home, as we have pretty good amount of sun even during the shortest days. But in Sweden, you barely ever get any sun in winter, so it is necessary that you take vitamin D supplements on daily basis. This helps keep the energy levels up, keeps you motivated, and helps you get through those days with a bit more ease. Alternatively, in summer, you need to invest in a good sunscreen and use it regularly. Some people forget that summer in Sweden is hot, sunny, and the days are very long. Which means extended exposure to sun. If you don’t wear your sunscreen, you might end up with a pretty bad sun burn and that is no fun.
- Stay active no matter the weather
A fellow student ambassador, Mandy said this couple of days ago and I agree with her fully: don’t change your plans if the weather changes. If you wait for a good weather in Sweden to do things with friends, you will have to wait a long time! Weather should be secondary when making plans and if it changes, you should still follow through. Sometimes it’s good to have alternate options. For example, if you wanted to go for a hike but it starts to rain hard, then it might be better to go to a climbing hall or just go out to a bar. Options are many, as long as you don’t give up!
As a last remark, Sweden weather can be very unpredictable, but it’s also a lot of fun, incredibly beautiful, and there is always something to do, no matter the month. I hope this will is a helpful information for those of you who are starting to prepare for your move here. This is a beginning of a very exciting journey and I wish you to enjoy every minute of it!
Until next time – Gvantsa
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