The Weather in Denmark

Denmark (and Europe in general) is farther north than most people realize. At a latitude of 55 degrees Denmark is in line with southern Alaska (Minneapolis is just below 45 degrees latitude). However, due to its proximity to the Baltic and North Seas (at least that’s my story and I’m sticking to it) the weather in Denmark is relatively mild, ranging from mean temperatures in January and February of 31 degrees and a mean temperature in July and August of around 62 degrees. The country is also known to be fairly windy at times.

Another side affect of being so far north is that the amount of daylight varies greatly. During the shortest days of winter sunrise is at 8:30 a.m. and sunset at 3:30 p.m. (7 hour days). Fortunately I will be there during the summer when the sun rises comes at 4:30 a.m. and sets at 10 p.m. (17.5 hour days). The shortest and longest days in Minneapolis on the other hand range between 8.5 hour days and 15.5 hour days, respectively. While it’s hard to complain about a couple extra hours of sunlight, most people who know me know that I have a tendency to wake up with the sun. I am a little nervous about waking up every day at 4:30 in the morning, so I am considering investing $10 into some kind of sleeping mask. I am encouraged by the fact that at least the photo of the residence hall I will be staying in seems to have black curtains.