1 / 2 The charm of winter Because of the northerly location, Saimaa has a long, dark winter during which its waters cool down. At the same latitude elsewhere around the world, i.e. in North America and Russia, the climate is harsh and continental, and the soil frozen with permafrost. Finland's climate, however, is considerably milder thanks to the warming influence of the Gulf Stream, even though the country lies as far north as Greenland. Because of the northerly location, Saimaa has a long, dark winter during which its waters cool down. The lakes freeze over in November or December, and the ice melts again in the warm spring weather of early May. The temperature may drop as low as -40°C in February, and the ice sheet may be up to 70 cm thick. Such severe frost is rare, though, and in a mild winter the waters of Saimaa may never freeze over. In any case, the winter is harsh: even if it is not cold, there is very little light. In December and January, the sun only shines for about five hours a day, and when there is heavy cloud, midday is When the temperature goes way down, the ice expands and cracks