Svalbard
Polar bears that outnumber the human residents on paper, a midnight sun in summer and the northern lights taking over in winter, and a town where a rifle is standard kit for a walk beyond the edge of it.
The best time to visit Svalbard is Feb–Apr, or Jun–Aug, when typical daytime highs reach about 8°C (47°F). Local time there is 03:19 (UTC+2).
Good for
In season
The year at a glance
February · high -10°C · rain 44mm · the sun does not rise · in the recommended window
the dashed line is freezing · shaded columns are the recommended window
Measured at Longyearbyen, the arrival airport
Averages for 2019–2023 from Open-Meteo’s archive, not a forecast
| Month | High °CHigh °F | Rain mmRain in | Light | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -9°C16°F | 40mm1.6in | 0.0h0.0h | the sun does not rise |
| February | -10°C14°F | 44mm1.7in | 0.0h0.0h | the sun does not rise · in the recommended window |
| March | -11°C11°F | 47mm1.9in | 10.7h10.7h | in the recommended window |
| April | -6°C21°F | 46mm1.8in | 20.0h20.0h | in the recommended window |
| May | -2°C29°F | 33mm1.3in | 24.0h24.0h | the sun does not set |
| June | 5°C41°F | 30mm1.2in | 24.0h24.0h | the sun does not set · in the recommended window |
| July | 11°C51°F | 40mm1.6in | 24.0h24.0h | the sun does not set · in the recommended window |
| August | 8°C47°F | 58mm2.3in | 24.0h24.0h | the sun does not set · in the recommended window |
| September | 4°C39°F | 71mm2.8in | 14.0h14.0h | |
| October | -3°C27°F | 26mm1.0in | 5.6h5.6h | |
| November | -5°C23°F | 47mm1.9in | 0.0h0.0h | the sun does not rise |
| December | -8°C18°F | 40mm1.6in | 0.0h0.0h | the sun does not rise |
Good to know
- Currency
- NOKNorwegian krone
- Language
- Bokmål, Sámi, Nynorsk, and more
- Driving
- on the right
Would your whole group agree on it?
Can't agree where to go? Set what's actually possible, answer eight quick questions each, and out comes the one destination that fits everybody. Even the little ones join in, with questions read aloud and picture answers. Two minutes each, no signup.
Try it with your groupCommon questions
When is the best time to visit Svalbard?
The best time to visit Svalbard is Feb–Apr, or Jun–Aug, when typical daytime highs reach about 8°C (47°F).
How warm does Svalbard get?
Typical daytime highs in Svalbard are Mar–May -6°C (20°F), Jun–Aug 8°C (47°F), Sep–Nov -2°C (29°F), Dec–Feb -9°C (16°F).
Is Svalbard expensive?
On the ground, Svalbard is steep.
What sort of trip is Svalbard good for?
Svalbard is good for ski and snow holidays, adventure holidays, nature and scenery, bucket-list trips.
How rainy is Svalbard?
The wettest month in Svalbard is September at 71mm (2.8in), the driest October at 26mm (1.0in), with a monthly average of 44mm (1.7in).
What plug do I need for Svalbard?
Svalbard uses type C, F sockets at 230 V.
