The depth of snow is usually greatest in the areas Lake Kilpisjärvi, in Koillismaa, in Kainuu, and in northern Karelia.

The amount of rain varies here - as it does usually in northern areas - from south to north. The average amount of rain in southern Finland is 650-700mm, whereas in Lapland it is around 500 mm. About half of the average annual rain fall in Finland rains down over winter (a part of it in water).

It usually rains fairly little in circumpolar areas: less than 200 mm. There is only around 40-50 cm of snow in the tundra, but because of wind factors it is very unevenly distributed.

Due to the relatively minor rain fall, the snowcover here remains fairly thin compared to many rainy areas.

Snowcover is at its thickest in March (in Lapland at the beginning of April).

In the southwest of Finland and on the coast of the Gulf of Bothnia snow is usually scarce.

This is because the low pressures coming from the west are fairly dry (it has rained already on the coast of Norway). Only when the terrain lifts the clouds higher (especially in the northern tree-covered hill areas in eastern Finland) they freeze, and water condenses into snow- or rainfall.

The small amount of snow can cause many problems in cold winters. For example, the ground may go into permafrost deep into the ground. Animals, as well as many plants in need of the cover snow provides, can die during winters like these.