Denmark - Weather

Denmark has a temperate climate and the winters are cold. The sailing season is limited to the summer which can be fairly wet, although enjoying long days. The prevailing winds in summer are westerly and this is also where most gales come from. Because of the surrounding landmass, the winds can be variable and the weather also changes with little warning.

Snow may be experienced in Denmark between December and the end of February or even later because of the high latitude. Harbours may have ice during the same period as there is a little salt in the water. April is dry but can be cold.

May and June are warm and June, in particular, is a lovely month with long daylight hours. There are a prolonged twilight and only about 5 hours of darkness. Fog is rare and visibility is usually good. Prevailing winds are westerly and seldom reach F7 but are variable with squalls under the clouds.

July tends to be warmer but high pressure may bring cooler winds from the North. August may, if you are lucky, bring a persistent high with Mediterranean conditions but this only happens every few years and the more common pattern is for changeable weather.

The peak of the sailing season is late June to early August when schools are on holiday and there are many visiting yachts from Sweden and Germany. It may then be difficult to find a berth even in the larger harbours and marinas. There are however numerous anchorages in the many sheltered fjords.

September brings gales, shorter days, increasing cold and the end of the sailing season.

Weather Resources:

• Danish Meteorological Institute
• Danish Meteorological Institute Ice Coverage
• Lyngby Radio (call sign OXZ) is a Danish coast radio station and can provide forecasts in English for Danish waters on VHF on request, but they may be chargeable. Gale and strong wind warnings are included in the usual navigational warnings. Phone: +45 666 34800.
• In the vicinity of the Sound the forecasts (in English) on Swedish VHF radio after the traffic lists at 07:30 and 19:30 are excellent. They can also be picked up from most of the Danish Baltic waters also.
• Navtex, which provides weather forecasts, navigational warnings etc. in English, is useful especially if cruising beyond Denmark to other Baltic destinations.
• Denmark Weather Forecast

For links to free global weather information, forecast services and extreme weather information see the Noonsite Weather Page