The best times to visit Longyearbyen for ideal weather are
January 8th to September 2nd
or
June 11th to August 5th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Longyearbyen Travel Guide
Other Longyearbyen Travel Info
Weather in Longyearbyen
Temperature
Average temperatures in Longyearbyen vary greatly. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold all year with a very low chance of rain or snow throughout the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 32nd percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Longyearbyen, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally early August where highs are regularly around 49.9°F (9.9°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 42.9°F (6.1°C) at night.
Longyearbyen Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Longyearbyen Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Longyearbyen Perceived Temperature (F)
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Longyearbyen Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Longyearbyen Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 24 | 17.9 | 11.7 |
| Feb | 22.2 | 15.8 | 9.6 |
| Mar | 19.8 | 13.4 | 6.7 |
| Apr | 23.1 | 15.9 | 9.3 |
| May | 33.1 | 29.7 | 25.8 |
| Jun | 42.5 | 39.5 | 36.3 |
| Jul | 48.7 | 45.3 | 41.7 |
| Aug | 46.7 | 43.2 | 39.5 |
| Sep | 40.6 | 37.2 | 33.4 |
| Oct | 31.8 | 27.4 | 22.8 |
| Nov | 27.2 | 21.6 | 16.2 |
| Dec | 24.1 | 17.9 | 11.9 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -4.4 | -7.8 | -11.3 |
| Feb | -5.4 | -9 | -12.4 |
| Mar | -6.8 | -10.3 | -14.1 |
| Apr | -4.9 | -8.9 | -12.6 |
| May | 0.6 | -1.3 | -3.4 |
| Jun | 5.8 | 4.2 | 2.4 |
| Jul | 9.3 | 7.4 | 5.4 |
| Aug | 8.2 | 6.2 | 4.2 |
| Sep | 4.8 | 2.9 | 0.8 |
| Oct | -0.1 | -2.6 | -5.1 |
| Nov | -2.7 | -5.8 | -8.8 |
| Dec | -4.4 | -7.8 | -11.2 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Longyearbyen are June, February, and then May. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early February. For example, on the week of February 5th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in mid December with an average of 1 days of significant precipitation the week of December 17th.
When can you find snow in Longyearbyen? Weather stations report very large amounts of snow likely to be deepest around April, especially close to early to mid April. The best time to ski (if at all) in Longyearbyen is often around around December 17th when fresh powder is deepest. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Longyearbyen.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Longyearbyen (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9% | 4.6 | 1.1 |
| Feb | 4% | 4.4 | 0.6 |
| Mar | 6% | 5.1 | 0.9 |
| Apr | 4% | 5.7 | 0.3 |
| May | 4% | 4.3 | 0.5 |
| Jun | 3% | 0 | 0.6 |
| Jul | 7% | 0.8 | 1.2 |
| Aug | 9% | 0 | 0.7 |
| Sep | 11% | 0.7 | 0.9 |
| Oct | 10% | 1.9 | 1 |
| Nov | 10% | 3.1 | 1.7 |
| Dec | 14% | 4.2 | 2.3 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 9 | 11.7 | 2.8 |
| Feb | 4 | 11.2 | 1.5 |
| Mar | 6 | 13 | 2.3 |
| Apr | 4 | 14.5 | 0.8 |
| May | 4 | 10.9 | 1.3 |
| Jun | 3 | 0 | 1.5 |
| Jul | 7 | 2 | 3 |
| Aug | 9 | 0 | 1.8 |
| Sep | 11 | 1.8 | 2.3 |
| Oct | 10 | 4.8 | 2.5 |
| Nov | 10 | 7.9 | 4.3 |
| Dec | 14 | 10.7 | 5.8 |
Humidity and Wind
Longyearbyen has some high humidity months, with other comfortably humid months. The least humid month is April (59.3% relative humidity), and the most humid month is September (69.9%).
Wind in Longyearbyen is usually moderate. The windiest month is January, followed by December and February. January’s average wind speed of around 11.9 knots (13.6 MPH or 22 KPH) is considered “a moderate breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in mid December where average top sustained speeds reach 22.2 knots, which is considered a strong breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Longyearbyen.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 11.9 | Significant breeze | 19.6 | Strong breeze |
| Feb | 11.4 | Significant breeze | 19.1 | Strong breeze |
| Mar | 10.5 | Gentle breeze | 18.3 | Strong breeze |
| Apr | 8.5 | Gentle breeze | 15.7 | Significant breeze |
| May | 8.4 | Gentle breeze | 15.3 | Strong breeze |
| Jun | 8.4 | Gentle breeze | 14.8 | Significant breeze |
| Jul | 8.7 | Gentle breeze | 15.1 | Strong breeze |
| Aug | 7.9 | Gentle breeze | 14.7 | Significant breeze |
| Sep | 8 | Gentle breeze | 15.2 | Strong breeze |
| Oct | 10 | Gentle breeze | 17.3 | Strong breeze |
| Nov | 10.9 | Gentle breeze | 18.5 | Strong breeze |
| Dec | 11.7 | Significant breeze | 20.1 | Strong breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 61.6% |
| Feb | 59.9% |
| Mar | 61.4% |
| Apr | 59.3% |
| May | 63.2% |
| Jun | 62.3% |
| Jul | 66.6% |
| Aug | 67.5% |
| Sep | 69.9% |
| Oct | 66.6% |
| Nov | 62.6% |
| Dec | 63.6% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Longyearbyen?
Our best data indicates this area is generally safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are no travel advisories or warnings for Norway; exercise normal security precautions. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Nov 21, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen is August, followed by April and May. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Longyearbyen in October. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Longyearbyen Travel Experience by Season
Spring (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel very cold. Highs range from 38°F (3.3°C) and 14°F (-10°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is rare with 1 to 2 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Summer (June through August)
The middle-year months have cold weather with high temperatures that are still jacket weather. These months see moderate precipitation with 1 to 3 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the second busiest season for tourism in Longyearbyen, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly more.
Fall (September through November)
Fall daily highs range from 42.3°F (5.7°C) and 25.4°F (-3.7°C), which will feel very chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a normal amount: approximately 3 days per month. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced.
Winter (December through February)
Weather is far too cold this time of year in Longyearbyen to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 27.8°F (-2.3°C) and 19.4°F (-7°C). On average, it rains or snows a smalll amount: 1 to 4 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› Svalbard and Jan Mayen › Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen