What is the weather like on Svalbard in summer and winter?
Normal temperatures, light and precipitation on Svalbard through the year.
Short answer
Svalbard is cold all year round: at Svalbard Airport the normal temperature is 7 °C in July, the warmest month, and −12 °C in March, the coldest. These are Yr's normals for 1991–2020. The midnight sun lasts from about 20 April to 23 August, and the polar night from about 14 November to 29 January.
Why
- Yr's 1991–2020 normals for Svalbard Airport are 3.6 °C in June, 7.0 °C in July and 6.0 °C in August, and between −10.9 °C and −12.0 °C from January to March.
- Visit Svalbard dates the midnight sun from about 20 April to 23 August and the polar night from about 14 November to 29 January, with darkness from October to mid-February.
- Visit Norway notes that winter on Svalbard can start as early as September or October and last until the end of May.
Details
Visit Norway notes that temperatures can fall to between −20 and −30 °C for sustained periods, and that winter storms can disrupt transport. Wind makes the cold feel much stronger than the thermometer shows. Visit Norway recommends layers with a thin wool layer next to the body and thick, windproof thermal trousers.
Tip
On organised outdoor activities, operators supply warm outdoor clothing, so check what is included when you book and pack wool base layers yourself.
What may differ
A single year can be far from the normal: Yr shows that 11 of the 12 months from September 2025 to August 2026 were warmer than normal at Svalbard Airport. The figures are for the airport near Longyearbyen.
Common misconception
Svalbard is snowy because it gets a lot of precipitation.
What actually happens
Precipitation is low: Yr's 1991–2020 normals for Svalbard Airport range from 8 mm in May to 27 mm in September, and Visit Norway notes that Svalbard is considered an Arctic desert. The landscape stays white because winter is long.
People also ask
- How cold is Svalbard?
- What is the climate like on Svalbard?
Sources
- Yr: Weather statistics for Svalbard AirportChecked at:
- Visit Svalbard: The Svalbard lightChecked at:
- Visit Norway: Polar night on SvalbardChecked at:
- MET Norway: New Norwegian standard climate normals 1991–2020Checked at:
Information checked on 15 October 2026.
LongyearbyenRelated questions
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What does 'there is no bad weather, only bad clothing' mean in Norway?
The saying means that bad weather is no reason to stay indoors, because the right clothes let you enjoy being outside in rain, wind or cold.
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Do I need sunscreen in Norway?
Yes, you need sunscreen in Norway, especially in spring and summer, on snow in the mountains and on the water, where reflection makes UV radiation stronger.
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Do I need ice grips (brodder) on my shoes in a Norwegian winter?
Ice grips, called brodder in Norwegian, are worth packing for a winter trip, because temperatures around freezing often leave pavements and paths icy.
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What shoes should I bring to Norway?
Bring sturdy shoes that handle rain and rough paths, and in winter warm boots with room for wool socks and a good grip on ice.