Europe is a landmass of varying temperatures.
From the sunny coastal shores of Spain to the winter winds of the Nordic countries, Europe’s landmass stretches far enough across the Earth that each place can experience just about different weather than the other.
This means that some countries are just covered in the blanket of cold weather for a major part of the year. And today, we will be taking a look at the coldest countries in Europe.
List of Coldest Countries in Europe
10. Austria
Austria is a country located in Central Europe. Usually classified as a country with a temperate climate, Austria’s landmass is covered in the Alps mountains, and therefore it faces a mountainous climate that is cold enough to stop trees from growing.
Austria with its continental and subarctic climate faces an average annual temperature of 45 Degrees Fahrenheit.
9. Latvia
The Baltic country of Latvia is next on our list, with the country facing almost extreme temperatures in both the summer and winter seasons.
Since the country has a coast in its Northwestern region, it also faces a temperate climate in some places where the winters are cool and summers are warm, such as the Courland Peninsula.
Latvia with its hybrid maritime and continental climate faces an average annual temperature of 44.3 Degrees Fahrenheit.
8. Liechtenstein
Liechtenstein, the fourth smallest European country, is another subject of the Alpine mountain region affecting climatic conditions.
Liechtenstein faces a continental climate largely due to its location and even though the country has mountainous geography, it has a relatively mild climate.
Liechtenstein faces an average annual temperature of 44.0 Degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Estonia
Estonia is a Northern European country that lies in the Baltic region. Heated air from the Atlantic Ocean causes the country to have a warmer climate despite its Northern presence.
Even then, the climate in Estonia switches between mild summers and winters to seasons with extreme temperatures.
Estonia has an average annual temperature of 43.3 Degrees Fahrenheit.
6. Switzerland
Switzerland, a country locked in the heart of Europe, has a continental climate.
The weather varies for different places, meaning some places face dry summers and wet winters, while some places face an increase in temperature due to a warm wind known as Föhn coming from the South of the country.
Switzerland has an average annual temperature of 42.9 Degrees Fahrenheit.
5. Sweden
Fifth on the list of the coldest countries in Europe, the Nordic country of Sweden lies in Northern Europe with its neighbors Norway, Finland, and Denmark.
Much of the Swedish country faces a moderate climate, but there are instances where there is a considerable difference in climate between the Northern, Southern, and central parts of the country.
Since the South of Sweden is coastal, it is met with a mild climate, while the North of Sweden has an arctic climate. Central Sweden is continental, with a batch of humidity affecting the region.
Sweden has an average annual temperature of 36.7 Degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Finland
Finland is a Nordic country in Northern Europe that has a climate depending on which latitude the region is in.
Located between the 60 and 70 N latitudes, the South of Finland has a moderate climate, while the extreme North and North Central have a Boreal climate.
Boreal climate signifies long, freezing winters, and short, cool summers. This climate is opposed to the warm winds of the Gulf Stream, which provide warmth to the 3 Nordic countries and raise their temperatures a little.
Finland has an average annual temperature of 36.5 Degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Iceland
The island nation of Iceland is next on our list, which, as suggested by its name, has a subarctic climate in the country.
The Southern coast of Iceland has a subpolar oceanic climate, which means that the country faces only a relatively moderate climate despite its presence near the Arctic Circle.
The North Atlantic Stream and the Gulf Stream have a major role in raising the temperature of the island nation, and the country does not face ice in the winter seasons.
Iceland has an average annual temperature of 36.1 Degrees Fahrenheit.
2. Norway
Norway, the third Nordic country on this list, takes the second spot. Norway has a huge coastline, which is largely influential in its weather.
The Northern and Western part of the country has a mild climate, and also face more rain than the other parts of the country.
It is only in the inland regions and the Northernmost part of Norway where very cold temperatures are found.
Norway has an average annual temperature of 35.2 Degrees Fahrenheit.
1. Russia
First on the list of the coldest countries in Europe- Russia. As expected, the Tundra country of Russia is the coldest country in Europe, mainly because of its distance from any possible sea source and mountainous terrain in the South that stops the flow of any warm winds towards it.
In only the far Western parts of Russia does the country receive some form of a moderate tropical or coastal climate, due to the presence of the Black Sea.
Regions of Siberia and Arctic Russian Islands have a polar climate, meaning freezing cold temperatures and snow as the only form of precipitation.
Russia has an average annual temperature of 22.7 degrees Fahrenheit.