Storsjön

Lake Large Jämtland lake reputed for a legendary monster

Northern Jämtland’s Storsjön offers long shoreline, sailing and trout fishing, summer lakeside beaches, and boat access to islands. Visitors also encounter local tales of the Storsjöodjuret, a lake monster legend tied to Östersund.

Main image

Storsjön is a large lake in Jämtland County in central Sweden, forming a central geographic and cultural feature of the region. The lake hosts islands and shoreline communities and is closely tied to local identity and folklore.

The lakeshore town of Östersund on the southern shore provides the principal visitor services, viewpoints and boat links for exploring the lake. The island of Frösön is the largest island in the lake and contains local attractions and walking routes.

A well known element of the lake’s popular culture is the legend of the lake monster, Storsjöodjuret, which features in regional stories and symbols. Recreational activities around the lake include boating, fishing and lakeside promenades in summer.

The lake and its islands have been inhabited and used for fishing, transport and settlement for centuries and form the core of historical Jämtland community life. Folklore and continuous settlement have shaped the lake’s role in regional identity.

Located in central Jämtland County, the lake lies next to the town of Östersund and is set within inland Sweden’s forested and agricultural landscape; Frösön occupies a central position in the lake near Östersund.

  • Cultural note: The lake is the central feature of Jämtland and is closely associated with regional identity, including the local legend of a lake monster known as Storsjöodjuret.
  • Visitor tip: Summer boat cruises and lakeside viewpoints in Östersund and on Frösön are common ways to experience the lake and its islands.

What to See #

  • Frösön: Frösön is the largest island in the lake, located close to Östersund, with historic sites and local ferry connections.
  • Östersund: Östersund sits on the southern shore and serves as the main gateway town with transport links, services and lakeside viewpoints.
Storsjön
63.2000, 14.3000

How to Get to Storsjön #

Storsjön is centered near the town of Östersund (on the lake’s eastern shore); Östersund has rail and road connections to the rest of Sweden, with local roads and ferries providing access to lake points.

Tips for Visiting Storsjön #

  • If searching for the mythical 'Storsjöodjuret' (the lake monster), evening or misty mornings are when local legend thrives and fishermen swap sightings.
  • Bring binoculars and consider a rental boat to explore the lake's islands and shoreline more quietly.

Best Time to Visit Storsjön #

Summer offers the classic lake experience and best weather for water activities; winter turns the lake into a different, colder playground if the ice is safe.

Summer
June-August · 12-22°C
Best for boating, fishing and lakeside recreation with long daylight hours.
Winter
December-February · -10-0°C
Frozen expanses for ice activities, though access depends on safe ice conditions.

Weather & Climate near Storsjön #

Climate

Storsjön's climate is classified as Subarctic - Subarctic climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -10°C to 18°C. Moderate rainfall (528 mm/year).

Best Time to Visit
JuneAugustJuly
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
29°
Warmest Month
-33°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions

January

January is the coldest month with highs of -3°C and lows of -10°C. Moderate rainfall (31 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

34 Poor

Comfort

-7°
Feels Like Freezing
-7°C
Temperature
-11° -3°
99%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

31 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.0
UV Index
Low
5.4h daylight

February

February is freezing with highs of -3°C and lows of -10°C. The driest month with just 24 mm and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

-6°
Feels Like Freezing
-6°C
Temperature
-10° -3°
98%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

24 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.0
UV Index
Low
8.4h daylight

March

March is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -7°C. Light rainfall and mostly overcast skies.

40 Poor

Comfort

-3°
Feels Like Freezing
-3°C
Temperature
-7°
96%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

26 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.2
UV Index
Low
11.5h daylight

April

April is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -3°C. Moderate rainfall (30 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

47 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
-3°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

30 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.5
UV Index
Moderate
14.7h daylight

May

May is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (36 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

57 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
81%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

36 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.9
UV Index
Moderate
17.8h daylight

June

June is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 7°C. Moderate rainfall (61 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

12°
Feels Like Cool
12°C
Temperature
16°
79%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

61 mm
Rainfall
2.6 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
19.8h daylight

July

July is cool with highs of 18°C and lows of 10°C. The wettest month with 82 mm of rain and mostly overcast skies.

61 Good

Comfort

14°
Feels Like Cool
14°C
Temperature
10° 18°
82%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

82 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
1.2
UV Index
High
18.8h daylight

August

August is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Moderate rainfall (62 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

63 Good

Comfort

13°
Feels Like Cool
13°C
Temperature
17°
86%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

62 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.8
UV Index
Moderate
15.9h daylight

September

September is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 5°C. Moderate rainfall (57 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

55 Acceptable

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
12°
89%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

57 mm
Rainfall
2.5 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.3
UV Index
Low
12.8h daylight

October

October is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of 2°C. Moderate rainfall (46 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

45 Poor

Comfort

Feels Like Cold
C
Temperature
94%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

46 mm
Rainfall
2.4 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.1
UV Index
Low
9.6h daylight

November

November is freezing with highs of 1°C and lows of -4°C. Moderate rainfall (39 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

-1°
Feels Like Freezing
-1°C
Temperature
-4°
98%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

39 mm
Rainfall
2.3 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.0
UV Index
Low
6.4h daylight

December

December is freezing with highs of -2°C and lows of -8°C. Moderate rainfall (34 mm) and mostly overcast skies.

38 Poor

Comfort

-5°
Feels Like Freezing
-5°C
Temperature
-8° -2°
99%
Humidity
Very Humid

Weather

34 mm
Rainfall
2.2 m/s
Wind
Calm
0.0
UV Index
Low
4.2h daylight

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