Helsinki vs Riga

Helsinki and Riga are closely matched in January. Neither city has a clear advantage across all metrics. Your decision should come down to personal preference, cultural interests, and travel logistics rather than weather alone.

Helsinki is on the cooler side at -2°C, requiring warmer clothing. Riga is cooler at -1°C.

For travelers who prioritize dry weather, Helsinki is the stronger choice in January. Riga receives 1 more hour of sunshine per day, which matters for sightseeing and outdoor activities.

Helsinki reaches an average high of -2°C (28°F) and drops to -6°C (21°F) at night during January. The daily temperature range is 4°C, meaning relatively stable temperatures from day to night.

Riga averages -1°C (30°F) for the high and -5°C (23°F) for the low, with a daily range of 4°C. The two cities feel quite similar in terms of temperature.

Both cities are in the Northern Hemisphere, so they share the same seasonal pattern in January.

Helsinki receives approximately 50 mm of rainfall across 11 rain days during January. You can expect rain roughly every other day.

Riga sees 46 mm over 12 rain days. That makes Helsinki the drier option by 1 rain day and 4 mm of total precipitation.

Both cities share similar humidity levels at 65%.