Finland has a cool temperate to subarctic climate with strong north–south variation and clear seasonal contrasts. The south and southwest are moderated by the Baltic Sea, while inland areas and Lapland are colder, snowier, and more continental. Recent climatological sources place Finland’s annual precipitation around 500 to 650 mm, annual sunshine highest in the southwest at about 1,900 hours, and winter conditions ranging from short and maritime in the south to very long and severe in the north. For residents and expats, the main practical factors are winter length, daylight extremes, snow cover, and how much coastal moderation you get.