Rough Winter Months in Sweden Posted by Marcus Cederström on Nov 11, 2010 in Culture
What’s the worst month out of the year? It’s a strange question really. Surprisingly, it’s a relevant question in Sweden. At least at this time of year.
Every winter, the discussion is renewed. Some people argue that November is the worst. The days just keep getting shorter. The dark keeps getting darker. The cold keeps getting colder. The winter just keeps winning. Plus, there really aren’t many holidays to look forward to in November. This year, Alla helgons dag did fall in November, but it isn’t guaranteed.
Others argue that February is the worst. The winter just won’t end. You’ve made it through so many months. Christmas is over. New Years is over. The holiday drunkenness has carried over to a holiday hangover. Plus it’s still cold. It’s still dark. It’s still winter.
Of course, still others argue that January is the worst month. But those people are just wrong. January has days off from work. Holidays. Snow. Vacation. Life is good.
Actually, the people who argue that February is the worst month are also wrong. February is a time of hope. Hope for lighter days. Hope for warmer temperatures. Hope for flowers and chirping birds and sunlight. Mostly sunlight.
November is by far the roughest. It’s that tweener month between fall and Christmas. The reminder that winter is descending. Again. Just like every year. It’s the month of unexpected snow storms. Traffic jams due to ice. Late trains because of leaves on the tracks. Or snow on the tracks.
But what do you think? What is the hardest month to get through in Sweden?
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About the Author: Marcus Cederström
Marcus Cederström has been writing for the Transparent Swedish Blog since 2009. He has a Bachelor's Degree in Scandinavian Studies from the University of Oregon, a Master's Degree in Scandinavian Studies from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, and a PhD in Scandinavian Studies and Folklore from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. He has taught Swedish for several years and still spells things wrong. So, if you see something, say something.
Comments:
Tibor:
Okay, I would say that it must be March and the reason is that March is totally a useless month. I think it makes the Swedish winter a month longer. Ok only a month if we are lucky enough. Not that we can be sure about that the weather gets warmer in April. I have seen snow even in May. December is Christmas time, preparations that´s fine…January is quite boring and cold usually but then you still manage it somehow to put up with the winter and the cold, school and work starts again and all the new year´s resolutions that I never keep. Then February is a short one and time for the film festival in Gothenburg. But March. You see it on the weather forecast that it is spring all across Europe except the Nordics….You know deep inside that March should be a spring month…but you surrender and feel awful for the rest of the winter. Then the first heath wave hits you around May with 18 C. So you stay inside because it is too hot to bear it. Have I summerized it? Or have I summerized it, well? 😉
Nikki:
In England, February is definitely the worst. November you have bonfire night and getting ready for Christmas. December you have Christmas and New Year. January you usually have lots of snow. But nothing ever happens in February!
david:
I must say that I dislike November. It is only gray and nothing else usually. But luckily this winter I returned from a trip to the US and it started snowing when I returned yesterday. And now we have a beautiful 25cm of snow and -15°C. Couldn’t be better. I just have to wax my skies and the fun can start.
DSheroh:
I’d have to say sometime in the (alleged) spring. Having grown up in Minnesota, I love the winters here (southern Sweden) by comparison. Sure, the days are shorter and the nights are longer, but the temperatures hover around freezing and it’s just damp and slushy, not -40 degrees with a meter of snow.
When spring (supposedly) comes, though, it’s mostly just winter dragging on until the week-long summer finally arrives. Good thunderstorms and warm-to-hot weather – my two favorite parts of spring (and summer) back in the States – seem to be a rarity over here.
Marcus Cederström:
oooh, Im afraid only one person has the right answer. november. november is the worst month. 🙂
Good work david.
but it looks like everyone had similar complaints, I think we can all agree that it can get pretty dreary at times.
Erik F.:
January is the worst for sure. At least in November you are looking forward to x-mas and New years — Christmas decorations are going up, advent, etc. On Jan 2nd, true depressions sets in as you know there are four more months of crap weather…
Marcus Cederström:
hopefully your spring is coming soon!