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How cold does it get in Denmark in winter?

Mostly just above freezing, with cold snaps in some years.

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Short answer

Danish winters are mostly mild: the 1991–2020 normal for December to February is 2,0 °C. January averages 1,6 °C and February 1,5 °C. In cold spells it can get much colder: in the winter of 2025–2026 the lowest reading was -19,4 °C at Isenvad in Midtjylland on 11 January 2026. That winter was the coldest in Denmark since 2012–2013.

Weather and seasons

Why

  1. A normal winter has about 42,6 frost days and a mean of 2,0 °C.
  2. In January 2026, Nordjylland was the coldest region with a mean of -1,0 °C.
  3. In February 2026 the lowest reading was -16,8 °C at Holbæk.

Details

The coldest January on record was 1942 with an average of -6,6 °C, and the coldest February was 1947 with -7,1 °C.

Tip

Dress in layers and bring a windproof jacket, a hat and gloves for a winter trip.

What may differ

Winters vary a lot: December 2024 had only 3,8 frost days, while January 2026 had 24,5.

Common misconception

Denmark has a harsh, Arctic-style winter.

What actually happens

The average winter temperature is above freezing, and deep frost is rare.

People also ask

  • How many frost days does Denmark have?
  • Does it snow in Denmark?
  • What is the coldest month in Denmark?

Sources

This answer is for reference only. Weather varies a lot from year to year, so check the DMI forecast before you travel.

Weather and seasons
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