• Sweden edition

Stockholm suffers nearly sunless November

Published: 30 Nov 09 16:02 CET | Double click on a word to get a translation
Online: http://www.thelocal.se/23568/20091130/

The month of November was one of the gloomiest on record in Stockholm, meteorologists said on Monday, as the Swedish capital registered only 17.5 hours of sunlight for the entire month.

The sun shone on average for only 35 minutes a day during the month, the Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute (SMHI) said.

In the past quarter-century, only the years 2000 and 1993 had darker months of November, with eight and nine hours of golden rays respectively, while the average for the month is 54 hours.

Because clouds trap heat and prevent clear skies and crisp temperatures, November 2009 was also one of the warmest Novembers in 25 years.

The average temperature in Stockholm was 5.6 degrees Celsius (42 Fahrenheit), compared to an average of 2.9 degrees over the past 25 years. Only the year 2000 was warmer at 7.0 degrees.

Stockholm, one of the northernmost capitals in the world, also has less sunshine in November because of the shorter daylight period, with around seven hours of daylight in November.

By contrast Sweden has long sunny days during the summer months, on average 292 hours of sunshine in June and 260 hours in July.

AFP/The Local (news@thelocal.se)

What do you think? Leave your comment below.

Fark It! Digg This  Share everywhere
Send to a friend Printable version Twitter This

Your comments about this article:

The comments below have not been moderated in advance and are not produced by The Local unless clearly stated. Readers are responsible for the content of their own comments. Comments that breach our terms and conditions will be removed.

17:53 November 30, 2009 by ironman294
Yeah as much as I love Stockholm, I'm glad I don't live there I would have jumped off a cliff already. Does the Dragon Boat restaurant still dock by the cliff?
18:42 November 30, 2009 by livinginsweden
You want to jump off the cliff becos of non-sunny days?

Cold days without sunshine is ideal for cosy time on the sofa or in bed with a glass of wine and/or a hot partner .... 24/30 .... and you dont get skin cancer..

Best place in the World!
18:52 November 30, 2009 by Osokin
vitamin D supplement, philips brightlight lamp abuse and sex tourism to SE asia to combat the ennui
19:37 November 30, 2009 by futureishere
Love the sun less days, great motivation for spending endless hours in lab completing my thesis. Because I know that every one else's life is as miserable as mine. :-)
19:42 November 30, 2009 by Greg in Canada
SAD - Seasonal Affected Disorder which relates low sunshine to depression. That explains why everybody riding on a bus or subway in Stockholm always looks like they're on their way to a funeral.:)

Nice summer time city though.
21:29 November 30, 2009 by Random Guy
.....and people ask why Swed's drink so much. Dang, open the bottle on Nov 1st and keep drinking until April 1st. Then dry up and and do it all again next year!
23:14 November 30, 2009 by Dr. Dillner
Keep going, "futurishere" it is worth all the work!
00:19 December 1, 2009 by canam
I moved from Colorado (sunniest place in the US) to San Diego, to Central America.....and now I'm in Stockholm...."cosy time on the sofa or in bed with a glass of wine and/or a hot partner" aint' gonna cut it for 6mnths. No wonder Swedes travel so much!
08:06 December 1, 2009 by hilt_m
lol i moved from queensland australia to stockholm, people said november was bad here, but to tell the truth, other then having a little problem waking up in the morning, it's not to bad.
09:50 December 1, 2009 by Freyja14
haha Canam.....I'm in the Exact same boat as you!
09:59 December 1, 2009 by kmbr
I think it's great for a year or two. It's a great excuse to give in to my slothier predisposition. More than that, it would get old, I think. But, then, I transplanted myself from NY to Phoenix knowing full well I need 300 plus days of sunshine to actually do anything of value.
14:26 December 1, 2009 by jose_s
People here live waiting for it to be spring and then summer, but when the summers are as rainy as this past year it kind of ruins a nice rainy november day.
04:51 December 2, 2009 by CanadianInSweden
i live in gothenburg and it definatly hasnt been any better here it seems,im suprised sweden doesn't rule the world in anti-depression med sales!!
10:28 December 2, 2009 by idouglas.75
Im from Vail, Colorado and moved here for my girlfriend. As mentioned in a previous post, Colorado is one of the sunniest places in the US. 300+ days....More sun then Miami or San Diego. The lack of sunshine here in Sweden is rough!!! Im prepetually tired. Anywone else? I went for a run with a headlight on my head at like 4 pm the other day. Ive tried to drink as much coffee as the swedes but it doesnt work. I just get jittery. I will take your advice and go have sex. Maybee on a tanning bed..
21:24 December 2, 2009 by OllieCrafoord
To the solarium! :)
10:24 December 3, 2009 by Militant Atheist
I actually don't like summer nor the sun. I prefer the dark winter months in Sweden.

I am most happiest in the winter months, and summer months I normally am not in the happiest of moods.

For my holidays, I normally take them in the winter months and travel to the north. Abisko National Park (and Kiruna) is a wonderful place in winter. One can photograph the northern lights if you are lucky to see it when you are there.

There is a train you can take to Narvik in Norway. Wonderful mountain range, as the train meanders along the scenic route.
ADD YOUR COMMENT   (YOU MUST LOG IN OR REGISTER TO MAKE A COMMENT)
Today's headlines

Masked man raped cyclist in Malmö park

After a 28-year-old woman was pulled off her bicycle and raped by an unidentified assailant in Malmö over the weekend, and police are fearing it could be the work of a budding serial rapist. READ (2 COMMENTS) »

Dramatic rise in dementia numbers in Sweden

Dramatic rise in dementia numbers in Sweden

Every second Swede is at risk of developing dementia, according to a new study from Umeå University, which concentrated on the 85+ population in northern Sweden. READ »

Rise in polls 'Löfven-effect': political expert

Rise in polls 'Löfven-effect': political expert

Since the new Social Democrat party leader Stefan Löfven took up the post, the party is gaining strength in the polls, causing political experts to speak of a ”Löfven-effect”. READ »

Narcolepsy victims in new compensation bid

Narcolepsy victims in new compensation bid

Families of children in Sweden suffering from narcolepsy caused by vaccination for the swine flu can expect some form of compensation, Swedish health minister Göran Hägglund said on Sunday in response to new calls for help from parents. READ »

Löfven ready to negotiate over nuclear power

Löfven ready to negotiate over nuclear power

The new leader of the Social Democrats Stefan Löfven has indicated he's ready to negotiate with the government over the future of nuclear power despite a previous party decision to phase out nuclear energy in Sweden. READ (1 COMMENT) »

One in five Swedes 'believes in ghosts'

One in five Swedes 'believes in ghosts'

One in five Swedes believes that people rise from the grave after they've died, a new survey has shown. READ (7 COMMENTS) »

Malmö murders linked to fake online firms: report

Several of the recent killings in Malmö have been linked to financial fraud and fake companies trading online, according to sources close to the ongoing murder investigations. READ (8 COMMENTS) »

Flying Finn Latvala claims Swedish rally title

Flying Finn Latvala claims Swedish rally title

Finnish driver Jari-Matti Latvala claimed the Rally of Sweden title near Hagfors in western Sweden on Sunday, the sixth win of his career. READ »

More Science & Technology

Highlights from Follow Sweden

20 things to know before moving to Sweden

As diverse as Sweden is, there are a few societal norms that are distinctly Swedish. Understanding a handful of them will hopefully prepare you culturally before you relocate. When you're invited home to a Swede, you better be on time and take your shoes off, writes expat Lola Akinmade-Åkerström. Read more »

How far can English take you in Sweden?

Sweden is a country where almost everyone can speak English. So why bother to learn Swedish? Edina Varnagy from Hungary managed with English for a whole year but then found that Swedish could open doors – to a job, a social life and greater understanding. Read more »

Find a new job in Sweden now
13/02 Store Manager Nike
Randstad AB
Stockholm
13/02 Risk agent to Klarna's new team, Payment Operations
Klarna
Stockholm
13/02 R&D Chemists
Jotun AS
Sandefjord
13/02 Office Manager to Hansoft
Hansoft
Uppsala
13/02 Service Engineer
The Timken Company
Hovedstaden
13/02 Financial Controller
Contaplus
Göteborg

ALL JOBS »



Blog Update: Julie's Nordic Island

12 February 21:30

The consciousness of one »

"The ice dripped in the winter sun. It was the first day when the light had been intense enough to cause dripping in the sunlight. To hear it was an extraordinary wakeup call. The cycle was happening again as it always does, always will (or so we think). I imagined that on my summer island, the bees..." READ »

Highlights
The Local
SOCIETY »
The Local's Oliver Gee finds out why the star of Sweden's version of 'The Office' thinks Sweden is the most PC country in the world
Micheal Brauer/Flickr (File)
SCIENCE & TECH »
'Drunkorexia' on the rise in Sweden: report
Alexander Lervik and Johan Carper
LIFESTYLE »
Seven Swedish designs that will blow your mind
Eva Rinadi Celebrity and Live Music Photography/Flickr
SOCIETY »
Star Wars in Swedish causes fan outrage
www.dotoday.se
LIFESTYLE »
What's On: The Local's guide to upcoming attractions and events in Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
OLIKA Publishing
OPINION »
The Swedish language needs a new pronoun free of preconceived notions about gender, a Swedish linguist and representatives from a publishing house argue
Madonna set for July 4th concert in Sweden
SOCIETY »
Madonna set for July 4th concert in Sweden
TV4
GALLERY »
An inside look at 'The Office' in Swedish
Georgios M.W (File)
SOCIETY »
Swedish mother gave 3-year-old cigs and beer
Photo: Fredrik Persson/Scanpix
SOCIETY »
A duvet cover designed to look like cardboard boxes, on sale at a luxury department store in Stockholm, has some arguing that the city's homeless are being exploited for profit.
Ann Catrin Brockman/Flickr (File)
LIFESTYLE »
Five Swedish songs that never made Eurovision
Q&A with Swenglish comedy star Ben Kersley
LIFESTYLE »
Swenglish comedy star Ben Kersley explains how ‘three bespectacled English guys’ plan to make Swedes laugh
Photo: Screenshot YouTube
SOCIETY »
Move over Bugs – a Swedish bunny is rapidly becoming the most popular rabbit in the world!
Photo: Sony Pictures
SPONSORED ARTICLE
How Millennium films tap deep into Swedish angst
Photo: Helena Wahlman
SPONSORED ARTICLE
Braving the cold: Ten reasons to spend winter in Sweden
Photo: ECLA
SPONSORED ARTICLE
A truly international education at the heart of Berlin
Highlights from Follow Sweden
Swedish word of the day

fin

adjective

Fin means anyhting from sweet to proper. When someone says, Du är så fin it's quite a compliment.

Latest news from The Local in Germany

More news from Germany at thelocal.de

Latest news from The Local in Switzerland

More news from Switzerland at thelocal.ch

Latest news from The Local in France

More news from France at thelocal.fr

Latest news from The Local in Norway

More news from Norway at thelocal.no

Blog
Highlights from Follow Sweden
New book about Sweden – get to know the country

Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth is a book about Sweden today. A country of natural beauty and open space, and a society focused on equality, human rights and sustainability. Meet regular and astonishing Swedes, supercars and indie rock bands, vampires and royalties.

Buy your copy of Sweden – Up North, Down to Earth from Sweden Bookshop

Search News


Register

Register now for:
> Free use of noticeboard
> Special discounts
> Weekly news roundup
> Unlimited use of discuss

REGISTER FOR FREE »

Jobs in Sweden, in English

503 jobs available
220 new jobs this week
22 new jobs today

ALL JOBS »

Turning Point Counseling
Turning Point Counselling centre offers the international community of Stockholm a safe space for personal development, counselling and coaching.
http://www.turning-point.se/show.asp
Swedish Down Town
Swedish Down Town PR Consulting and Productions is an innovative business company which provides valuable assistance with Public Relations and Communications in the swedish and the international market.
www.swedishdowntown.com
The Local's new Marketplace
Find products and services that are specifically focused on English speakers living in Sweden!
FULL DETAILS
English Speaking Therapist Stockholm
British-Australian Male Counsellor. Counselling Therapy for Depression, Mental Health, Sex, Relationship & Expat Issues
08-559 22 636 or CLICK HERE
Counseling in English
Individuals & Couples - Stockholm Beth Rogerson PhD - Clinical, Marriage & Family Therapist
Click or call 08-5580 1266 now
Doctor of Psychology
Therapy in English in Stockholm Trained in California Individuals & Couples (08) 93 81 48 FREE phone consultation
Visit anxiousorblue.se
Get on the Tennis Court with www.babolatshop.se
The new Online Tennis Store with the largest selection of Babolat Products in Sweden
http://www.babolatshop.se