The best times to visit Svalbard and Jan Mayen for ideal weather are

January 1st to December 30th

based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.

 

 


Other Svalbard and Jan Mayen Travel Info

Weather in Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Temperature

Average temperatures in Svalbard and Jan Mayen 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 34th 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 Svalbard and Jan Mayen, 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 43.5°F (6.4°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 37.9°F (3.3°C) at night.

Svalbard and Jan Mayen Temperatures (Fahrenheit)

Key
High
Average
Low

Svalbard and Jan Mayen Temperatures (Celsius)

Key
High
Average
Low

“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.

Svalbard and Jan Mayen Perceived Temperature (F)

Key
High
Average
Low

Svalbard and Jan Mayen Perceived Temperature (C)

Key
High
Average
Low

 

Average Svalbard and Jan Mayen 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 23.1 18.8 13.9
Feb 20.8 16.5 11.6
Mar 26.6 20.6 14.7
Apr 19.2 14.7 9.4
May 30.3 27.1 23.6
Jun 38 35.4 32.8
Jul 42.7 39.9 37.2
Aug 41.6 38.9 36.1
Sep 38.1 35.4 32.5
Oct 31.3 28.2 24.6
Nov 25.9 21.9 17.4
Dec 22.5 18.2 13.5

Show Celsius

Month Avg. High (°C) Avg. Mean (°C) Avg. Low (°C)
Jan -4.9 -7.3 -10.1
Feb -6.2 -8.6 -11.3
Mar -3 -6.3 -9.6
Apr -7.1 -9.6 -12.6
May -0.9 -2.7 -4.7
Jun 3.3 1.9 0.4
Jul 5.9 4.4 2.9
Aug 5.3 3.8 2.3
Sep 3.4 1.9 0.3
Oct -0.4 -2.1 -4.1
Nov -3.4 -5.6 -8.1
Dec -5.3 -7.7 -10.3

 


 

Precipitation (Rain or Snow)

If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Svalbard and Jan Mayen are June, April, 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 June. For example, on the week of June 4th there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in early to mid September with an average of 0 days of significant precipitation the week of September 10th.

When can you find snow in Svalbard and Jan Mayen? Weather stations report very large amounts of snow likely to be deepest around June, especially close to early June. The best time to ski (if at all) in Svalbard and Jan Mayen is often around around June 4th 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 Svalbard and Jan Mayen.

Key
Days with precipitation

Snow on the Ground

The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Svalbard and Jan Mayen (in).

Key
Snow depth

Average Rain and Snow by Month

Show Inches

Month Daily Chance of Rain Average Snow Depth (in) Total Precipitation (in)
Jan 4% 7.5 0.7
Feb 2% 8.5 0.5
Mar 2% 10.9 0.3
Apr 2% 12.1 0.2
May 2% 10 0.3
Jun 1% 13 0.2
Jul 3% 0.6 0.4
Aug 3% 1 0.3
Sep 5% 0.9 0.7
Oct 4% 2.7 0.5
Nov 4% 4.3 0.6
Dec 4% 5.7 0.7

Show Centimeters

Month Daily Chance of Rain Average Snow Depth (cm) Total Precipitation (cm)
Jan 4 19.1 1.8
Feb 2 21.6 1.3
Mar 2 27.7 0.8
Apr 2 30.7 0.5
May 2 25.4 0.8
Jun 1 33 0.5
Jul 3 1.5 1
Aug 3 2.5 0.8
Sep 5 2.3 1.8
Oct 4 6.9 1.3
Nov 4 10.9 1.5
Dec 4 14.5 1.8

 

Humidity and Wind

Svalbard and Jan Mayen has some very humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is March (63.9% relative humidity), and the most humid month is July (80.6%).

Wind in Svalbard and Jan Mayen is usually stronger than many places. The windiest month is December, followed by November and February. December’s average wind speed of around 15.4 knots (17.8 MPH or 28.6 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 late December where average top sustained speeds reach 24.7 knots, which is considered a strong breeze.

Relative Humidity (%)

The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Svalbard and Jan Mayen.

Key
Avg. Relative Humidity

Wind

The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.

Key
Max Sustained Wind
Average Daily Wind

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 14.1 Significant breeze 21.6 Strong breeze
Feb 14.3 Significant breeze 21.5 Strong breeze
Mar 12.2 Significant breeze 18.8 Strong breeze
Apr 11.7 Significant breeze 18.5 Strong breeze
May 10.3 Gentle breeze 16.3 Strong breeze
Jun 9.3 Gentle breeze 14.9 Significant breeze
Jul 9.6 Gentle breeze 15.3 Strong breeze
Aug 9.7 Gentle breeze 15.4 Significant breeze
Sep 10.5 Gentle breeze 17.4 Strong breeze
Oct 12.5 Significant breeze 19.9 Strong breeze
Nov 14.3 Significant breeze 21.9 Strong breeze
Dec 15.4 Significant breeze 23.4 Very strong breeze

Show Relative Humidity by Month

Month Avg. Relative Humidity
Jan 71.2%
Feb 71.3%
Mar 63.9%
Apr 67.7%
May 74.4%
Jun 76.8%
Jul 80.6%
Aug 79.7%
Sep 78%
Oct 75.7%
Nov 70.1%
Dec 68.8%

 

Is it Safe to Travel to Svalbard and Jan Mayen?

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 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 Svalbard and Jan Mayen 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

Key
Tourists Seeking Accommodations

Tourism graph is based on Google searches for services used by tourists relative to the rest of the year. Tourism data for this area is extrapolated based on nearby areas. Displayed data is calculated relative to the peak, so a score of 61.1 in October means 61.1% of the tourists vs. August.

 

 

Overall Svalbard and Jan Mayen Travel Experience by Season

Spring (March through May)

Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel very cold. Highs range from 34.9°F (1.6°C) and 13.1°F (-10.5°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is extremely rare with 0 to 1 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 0 to 1 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the second busiest season for tourism in Svalbard and Jan Mayen, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly more.

Fall (September through November)

Fall daily highs range from 39.3°F (4.1°C) and 23.7°F (-4.6°C), which will feel very chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a normal amount: 1 to 2 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 Svalbard and Jan Mayen to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 25.1°F (-3.8°C) and 18.2°F (-7.7°C). On average, it rains or snows a smalll amount: consistently 1 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.

 

Best Times to Travel › Svalbard and Jan Mayen