Kiruna is located 145 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle and has a subarctic climate with short, cool summers and long,
cold winters. Snow cover generally lasts from mid-October to beginning of May.

The sun doesn't set between May 30 and July 15, which is counterbalanced by it not rising from mid-December to the beginning of January. Kiruna municipality is situated in the
heart of our mountain region, including Kebnekaise at 2 117 meters, Sweden’s highest peak. Despite being way-up-north, winter in Kiruna is not particularly cold. The dry mountain air makes even freezing temperatures feel rather comfortable.

But there are great local variations. Jukkasjärvi, located about 20 kilometers from Kiruna, is situated in a river valley causing winter temperatures to drop 10-15 degrees below those of central Kiruna. The climate in Kiruna is perfect for testing flights, winter certifications and more. The final proof of how aircraft function in extreme climates can only be obtained under real conditions. The basic principles of winter flying can be taught in a simulator at home – but in Kiruna the flight crew can feel what it’s like to fly in severe cold, snow and ice. The municipality of Kiruna is a realm of contrasts, even when it comes to its climate.