Winter in Estonia: the coldest weather I have ever experienced
Winter in Estonia is very cold: the temperature remains below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) even during the day for long periods. The average temperature in January and February is around -1 °C (30 °F) on the two main islands (Hiumaa, Saaremaa), around -3 °C (26.5 °F) on the coast of the Gulf of Riga, -4.5 °C (23.5 °F) in Tallinn and on the north coast, and finally it drops to -6 °C (21 °F) in the inland north-eastern areas.
Atlantic currents, which sometimes succeed in penetrating the southern part of Scandinavia and in Central Europe, have some difficulty in getting to Estonia. However, weather fronts of Atlantic origin can arrive quite frequenly, giving rise to frequent snowfall, more likely than rainfall. More often, cold air masses coming from the Arctic or from Russia move over the country, lowering the temperature to about -20 °C (-4 °F). The cold records are respectable: in the worst moments the temperature can plunge to -40 °C (-40 °F). The month when the sun is lowest above the horizon and the days are shortest is December, while the coldest month is February, as is often the case in Nordic countries.
According to various research studies, seasonal depression is very common in Estonia due to the long, dark and harsh winters. In the depths of winter the days are really short and we rarely see the sun, not to mention the freezing temperatures that can drop as low as -30° C. It’s no wonder people living here get sad and tired! Luckily, during my 20+ years of having to cope with Estonian winters, there are a few tricks to make them more bearable.
1. Get your vitamins
One of the mains reasons we get so sad and tired during winter is vitamin deficiency. Firstly, we don’t produce nearly as much vitamin D as we need because of a lack of sunshine. One solution is to take a trip to a warmer country, but many of us don’t have this possibility. Another option is to occasionally visit a sunbed, but this comes with health risks, plus a lot of people tend to overdo it and end up looking like grilled chickens.
Vitamin D of course isn’t the only vitamin we have a shortage of. During winter the availability of many fruits and vegetables is limited, and the ones that are available often taste like plastic (have you ever tried those sad reddish rocks they call tomatoes?). Long story short — it’s important that you get your vitamins somehow, whether from tasteless fruit or from a jar. Just make sure you get them!
2. Engage in a social hobby
In summer Estonians literally live in the nature and spend all their free time outside, but as soon as the days get shorter, they turn into couch potatoes. It’s not unusual for people to get home from work, cook dinner and spend the rest of the evening in front of the TV or online. And this happens every single night! Instead of becoming antisocial when the weather gets depressing, it’s a great idea to include a social hobby in your routine — something that gets you out of the house and involves other people. Whether you do sports, join a book club or organise weekly dinners with friends, it’s important for your health to stay social. Plus, a regular hobby gives you something to look forward to each week!
3. Attend events
This is pretty much an extension of the previous point, but it’s worth emphasising on its own. Tons of cool events actually happen in the “off season”. In the beginning of November a selection of Tallinn’s best restaurants offer set lunch and dinner menus at amazing prices as part of Tallinn Restaurant Week. Then there’s the Black Nights Film Festival (aka PÖFF), which is the highlight of autumn in Estonia. Afterwards, all the magical Christmas events start happening: the Christmas Market, Christmas Jazz and various concerts and performances in churches and other venues.
