What’s the climate like in Svalbard?
The current climate in Svalbard features temperatures ranging from a high of 8°C to a low of -9°C throughout the year. The average yearly temperature is around 0°C. At night, temperatures in the colder months average around -15°C and in the warmer months around 5°C.
The highest temperature recorded in Svalbard in recent years was 18°C in July 2015. The lowest daytime temperature recorded was -28°C in March 2020.
On average, Svalbard gets 865 mm of precipitation each year. Of this, about 288 cm is snowfall. For comparison, New York gets 1142 mm of precipitation each year.
The climate in Svalbard is based on weather data from Longyearbyen. Other spots might have different weather. You can check out all destinations in Svalbard to get the full picture of the climate.
Best time to visit Svalbard?
If you're after warm and sunny weather, there aren’t really any specific months that are best to visit Svalbard. The temperatures are too low throughout the year, or there’s just too much precipitation.
Climate Table of Svalbard
The climate table of Svalbard shows the average temperatures, rainfall, snow, and UV index per month. The table provides an overview of the average day and night temperatures in degrees Celsius, the total amount of rainfall in millimeters, the total snowfall in centimeters, and the UV index for each month. Rainfall is always measured as water, even if it's snow or hail.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp. max (°C) | -5 | -6 | -9 | -4 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 5 | 0 | -3 | -5 |
| Temp. min (°C) | -10 | -12 | -14 | -10 | -3 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 1 | -3 | -8 | -10 |
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| Precipitation (mm) | 93 | 78 | 57 | 73 | 69 | 23 | 39 | 78 | 91 | 66 | 122 | 76 |
| Snow (cm) | 54 | 32 | 21 | 32 | 19 | 3,0 | 0,4 | 4,1 | 14 | 31 | 32 | 45 |
| UV Index | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Click on the month name to see more weather details, like daily averages, temperatures, and precipitation for the past years in that month.
- Average yearly temperature: 0°C
- Highest temperature: 8°C in July and August
- Lowest temperature: -9°C in March
- Precipitation*: 865 mm per year, averaging 72 mm per month
- Snowfall: 288 cm per year
- Driest months: 23 mm in June, 39 mm in July and 57 mm in March
- Wettest months: 122 mm in November, 93 mm in January and 91 mm in September
*Precipitation is measured as a combination of rain, snow, and hail
Weather experiences in Svalbard
Excellent
I had a great time in Svalbard. February 2020 I was here wit... more
Good
Every day was a new adventure! Warm clothing is essential, b... more
Table of Contents
Average Temperature per Month in Svalbard
This graph shows the average maximum temperatures per month in Svalbard. The temperatures are shown in degrees Celsius and the average is calculated based on the recorded temperatures per month from past years.
Average Precipitation per Month in Svalbard
This graph shows how much rainfall Svalbard gets on average per month. Rainfall is always measured as water, even if it's snow or hail. This makes it easy to compare how much has fallen, regardless of the form of precipitation. The amount of rainfall is measured in millimeters, and the average is calculated based on the recorded rainfall per month from past years.
Average Snowfall per Month in Svalbard
This graph shows how much snow Svalbard gets on average per month. The amount of snowfall is measured in centimeters and the average is calculated based on the recorded snowfall per month from past years.
Average UV Index per Month in Svalbard
This graph shows the average UV index per month in Svalbard. The UV index indicates the intensity of ultraviolet radiation and ranges from 0 to a maximum of 11.
Yearly Temperature in Svalbard
This graph shows the average yearly temperature in Svalbard. The yearly temperature, expressed in degrees Celsius, is the average of all twelve monthly temperatures summed up for that year.
Total Yearly Precipitation in Svalbard
This chart shows the total yearly precipitation in Svalbard over the past few years. The total yearly precipitation, measured in millimeters, is the sum of all the rain that fell in the twelve months of that year.
Total Yearly Snowfall in Svalbard
This chart shows the total yearly snowfall in Svalbard over the past few years. The total yearly snowfall, measured in centimeters, is the sum of all the snow that fell in the twelve months of that year.
Weather experiences in Svalbard
The weather in Svalbard is rated an average of 3,4 out of 5 stars by 5 visitors. Have you been to Svalbard? Share your weather experience to help other visitors.
Write your own review
It kept me going, but I was really shaking, so man up!— This text is automatically translated to English
Every day was a new adventure! Warm clothing is essential, but the beauty of the icy wilderness more than makes up for it!— This text is automatically translated to English
Definitely a winter adventure!— This text is automatically translated to English
The cold is intense and the sun rarely returns. The days get shorter and it gets dark. However, it is unique.— This text is automatically translated to English
I had a great time in Svalbard. February 2020 I was here with a group trip from Discover Svalbard. It was -18 degrees and alternating between snow and sun. Exactly what to expect with a visit to Svalbard.— This text is automatically translated to English
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Average Weather in Svalbard by Month
Click on a month below to see detailed weather info for Svalbard. Based on historical weather data, you can see the average temperature, precipitation, wind, and UV index for each day of the month.
