I lived in Helsinki for about 15 months. There were three kinds of weather mostly. -3 to -8 or so, where it might snow; -10 to -14, snow less likely, thne a snap of -20 to -25 with clear skies which was lovely 🙂
Not much actual weatherin generally really, no gales, snowstorms or anything interesting, just gentle snow now and then, which never melted, got up to about 50cm deep then started to pack down as fast as it accumulated. The snow evolved through the winter, it was fascinating. I walked to work mostly, through a wooded park. At -25 it was a bit like being in a sauna but in reverse – tingly and breathtaking but lovely. I miss it, it was just fantastic.
XC skiing (although not in those temps) through the snowy forest was really profound, for me. Really special, in a different way to MTBing. And you can get home and get straight into a sauna too.. I can’t describe how brilliant that is 🙂
I’ve also been to Wisconsin a few times although not in a deep cold snap. They have more weather there though; -15 and 30mph steady wind, that was bitter 🙂 Took the dog out to chase a ball, we stood there wrapped up to the hilt and he was running around like a mad thing in just his thin fur, drool freezing onto his face!
Can get to -30, but she genuinely thinks it feels colder here due to the humidity.
My wife (who’s from Wisconsin) grew up with -35 odd in the winter, and she thinks that the UK when it’s +1C with wind and sleet is just about the most unpleasant weather going. She thinks nothing of -15C but has to wrap up here when it’s near freezing.