There are significant variations in climate between different regions of Sweden, particularly between north and south.

The south of the country has a temperate climate, with cold winters and cool to warm summers, while the far north has a sub-Arctic climate. The warmest part of the country is the south-west coastal region, between Gothenburg and Malmo, while the east coast is kept colder by the influence of the Baltic Sea which often freezes over. The annual number of days with a temperature below freezing ranges from 71 at Malmo to 184 north of the Arctic Circle.

Average summer temperatures in the south are around 22 degrees C (70 degrees F) with long hours of sunshine, while average summer temperatures in the most northern region only ever reach about 11 degrees C (52 degrees F), and often drop below zero. In the far north it stays light and sunny for 24 hours a day, but there is day-long twilight in winter. In winter the north is blanketed by snow for around six months of the year, and the coastal ports are frozen over.

Precipitation is low, with average annual rainfall being highest in the Gothenburg area at around 700mm. Snow is very common in winter throughout the country.