🌡️ Extreme heat🔥 Wildfire

Natural hazards Scandinavia & the Baltic coast

Norway–Finland · total risk 16% (Modest) — our indicative estimate for a two-week stay in high season, based on 2017–2025.

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In our estimate, Scandinavia & the Baltic coast scores a total risk of 16% (modest). The main natural hazards for a summer holiday are extreme heat (12%) and wildfire (8%). Below you'll find the full profile, what happened in recent years, the best time to travel and practical travel advice.

Risk profile

🔥 Wildfire8% · Low

🌡️ Extreme heat12% · Modest

🌊 Flooding5% · Low

⛈️ Storm / severe weather8% · Low

🌋 Seismic / volcanic1% · Low

Percentage = indicative chance that a two-week stay in high season is noticeably disrupted by this hazard. Based on 2017–2025, not an official forecast.

When is the best time to visit Scandinavia & the Baltic coast?

Limited risk · Outliers possible: July

Jan-2°

Feb-1°

Mar3°

Apr8°

May14°

Jun20°

Jul20°

Aug19°

Sep14°

Oct8°

Nov2°

Dec-2°

Avg. maximum temperature per month · climate normal 2019–2024 (ERA5)

What happened here? (2017–2025)

2018Major wildfires in Sweden (25,000 ha) during a record summer
2024Record tourism year in Denmark thanks to the "coolcation" trend
2025Abnormally long and hot Scandinavian heatwave in July — part of the 25-day European heatwave

Travel advice

The safest summer climate in Europe, and ever more popular. But the trend of fires and heat "moving north" is visible — low risk is not zero.

Frequently asked questions

Is it safe to travel to Scandinavia & the Baltic coast?

In our indicative estimate, Scandinavia & the Baltic coast scores a total risk of 16% (modest): the chance that a two-week stay in high season is noticeably disrupted by natural hazards — from smoke or heat stress to evacuation. This is based on the historical frequency in 2017–2025 and is not an official forecast. Most holidays pass without incident even in higher-risk areas; always check the live map and local warnings just before departure.

What is the biggest natural hazard in Scandinavia & the Baltic coast?

Extreme heat is the dominant risk at 12%, followed by wildfire (8%). The safest summer climate in Europe, and ever more popular. But the trend of fires and heat "moving north" is visible — low risk is not zero.

When is the best time to visit Scandinavia & the Baltic coast?

Limited risk · Outliers possible: July. Outside the peak months the risk of natural hazards is considerably lower, and it is also quieter and often cheaper.

Travel guides for this region

Holiday without wildfire risk: where is it still possible? Images of burning Mediterranean coasts make some travellers hesitant. Which European destinations have negligible fire risk — and what other risk do you get in return? Coolcation: Europe's coolest holiday destinations More and more travellers are deliberately heading to cooler, more stable destinations. Which places in Europe combine pleasant summer weather with low natural risk — and what's the catch? Scandinavia: Europe's safest summer climate — with a caveat Norway, Sweden, Finland and the Baltic coast have the lowest natural risk in Europe. More and more travellers are consciously choosing these coolcations. But 'low risk' is not 'zero risk', and the trend is shifting northward.

Check the current risk for Scandinavia & the Baltic coast

Live fire danger (EFFIS/Copernicus), official warnings and the 7-day forecast.

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The percentages are indicative estimates based on the historical frequency and scale of events in 2017–2025 (EFFIS/Copernicus, EM-DAT, national weather services). They are not an official forecast. The live fire danger above is official, current data. Just before departure, consult the live map and local warnings.