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Usual weather in Svalbard

Do you need to know, when is the best time to go to Svalbard? Then you should take a look here, what weather you can expect there during the year.

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What weather to expect in Svalbard

The climate of Svalbard is arctic, but it is tempered by warm North Atlantic Current. You can expect cool summers and cold winters. North Atlantic current flows along west and north coasts of Spitsbergen and it keeps water open and navigable most of the year.

When speaking about the usual weather in this state, the information is relevant for example for these popular places: Barentsburg, Bear Island, Longyearbyen, Ny Ă…lesund, Pyramiden, Sveagruva.

Let's look now what weather you can expect here. (Warning: As we don't have reliable data for this country, we use data from nearby locations for these statistics.) The warmest month here is July, the average maximum temperature is 14.7 ℃ (58.46 ℉). The average minimum temperature in this month is 2.1 ℃ (35.78 ℉). The coldest month here is January, the average maximum temperature is 1.6 ℃ (34.88 ℉). The average minimum temperature in this month is -27.9 ℃ (-18.22 ℉).

When travelling to some places in Svalbard, always consider the altitude of the the place as well. The highest point here is Newtontoppen (1717 m) and the lowest point is Arctic Ocean (0 m). So the differences in altitudes in this country are not negligible and you should expect the weather to be different in places in different altitudes. Keep in mind, that the temperature usually decreases by 1.2 - 1.9 ℃ (2.2 - 3.5 ℉) per 200 m (656 ft), depending on the other conditions. (And we should add, that in the very special condition named thermal inversion even the temperature may be higher in higher altitudes.)

Please, keep in mind, that this is not a weather forecast, but the information about the usual weather (average). This should help you to decide, when is the best time to go to Svalbard. Read more details about the typical weather there in all individual months below:

January - February - March - April - May - June - July - August - September - October - November - December

January

Typical (usual) weather in Svalbard in January is this: The average highest temperature in Svalbard in January is 1.6 ℃ (34.88 ℉). The average lowest temperature is -27.9 ℃ (-18.22 ℉). At the beginning of January you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 2.25 ℃ (36.05 ℉). At the end of January you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 1.85 ℃ (35.33 ℉). The average rainfall is 12 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808 and at the end of the month -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808.This data is approximate because we do not have exact data for this country. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

February

Typical (usual) weather in Svalbard in February is this: The average highest temperature in Svalbard in February is 2.1 ℃ (35.78 ℉). The average lowest temperature is -31.1 ℃ (-23.98 ℉). At the beginning of February you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 1.85 ℃ (35.33 ℉). At the end of February you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 2.45 ℃ (36.41 ℉). The average rainfall is 18.7 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808 and at the end of the month 7:26.This data is approximate because we do not have exact data for this country. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

March

Typical (usual) weather in Svalbard in March is this: The average highest temperature in Svalbard in March is 2.8 ℃ (37.04 ℉). The average lowest temperature is -32 ℃ (-25.6 ℉). At the beginning of March you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 2.45 ℃ (36.41 ℉). At the end of March you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 2.65 ℃ (36.77 ℉). The average rainfall is 19.9 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 7:26 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 11:28 and at the end of the month 15:22.This data is approximate because we do not have exact data for this country. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

April

Typical (usual) weather in Svalbard in April is this: The average highest temperature in Svalbard in April is 2.5 ℃ (36.5 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 0.6 ℃ (33.08 ℉). At the beginning of April you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 2.65 ℃ (36.77 ℉). At the end of April you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 4.05 ℃ (39.29 ℉). The average rainfall is 9.8 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 15:22 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 20:39 and at the end of the month -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808.This data is approximate because we do not have exact data for this country. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

May

Typical (usual) weather in Svalbard in May is this: The average highest temperature in Svalbard in May is 5.6 ℃ (42.08 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 16 ℃ (60.8 ℉). At the beginning of May you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 4.05 ℃ (39.29 ℉). At the end of May you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 8.2 ℃ (46.76 ℉). The average rainfall is 7.2 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808 and at the end of the month -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808.This data is approximate because we do not have exact data for this country. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

June

Typical (usual) weather in Svalbard in June is this: The average highest temperature in Svalbard in June is 10.8 ℃ (51.44 ℉). The average lowest temperature is -3.3 ℃ (26.06 ℉). At the beginning of June you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 8.2 ℃ (46.76 ℉). At the end of June you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 12.75 ℃ (54.95 ℉). The average rainfall is 11.3 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808 and at the end of the month -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808.This data is approximate because we do not have exact data for this country. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

July

Typical (usual) weather in Svalbard in July is this: The average highest temperature in Svalbard in July is 14.7 ℃ (58.46 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 2.1 ℃ (35.78 ℉). At the beginning of July you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 12.75 ℃ (54.95 ℉). At the end of July you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 13.85 ℃ (56.93 ℉). The average rainfall is 18.1 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808 and at the end of the month -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808.This data is approximate because we do not have exact data for this country. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

August

Typical (usual) weather in Svalbard in August is this: The average highest temperature in Svalbard in August is 13 ℃ (55.4 ℉). The average lowest temperature is 0.2 ℃ (32.36 ℉). At the beginning of August you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 13.85 ℃ (56.93 ℉). At the end of August you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 10.8 ℃ (51.44 ℉). The average rainfall is 23.1 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808 and at the end of the month 20:23.This data is approximate because we do not have exact data for this country. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

September

Typical (usual) weather in Svalbard in September is this: The average highest temperature in Svalbard in September is 8.6 ℃ (47.48 ℉). The average lowest temperature is -7.4 ℃ (18.68 ℉). At the beginning of September you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 10.8 ℃ (51.44 ℉). At the end of September you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 7.25 ℃ (45.05 ℉). The average rainfall is 20.3 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 20:23 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 15:17 and at the end of the month 11:27.This data is approximate because we do not have exact data for this country. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

October

Typical (usual) weather in Svalbard in October is this: The average highest temperature in Svalbard in October is 5.9 ℃ (42.62 ℉). The average lowest temperature is -15.6 ℃ (3.92 ℉). At the beginning of October you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 7.25 ℃ (45.05 ℉). At the end of October you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 4.8 ℃ (40.64 ℉). The average rainfall is 12.9 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately 11:27 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month 7:28 and at the end of the month -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808.This data is approximate because we do not have exact data for this country. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

November

Typical (usual) weather in Svalbard in November is this: The average highest temperature in Svalbard in November is 3.7 ℃ (38.66 ℉). The average lowest temperature is -20.7 ℃ (-5.26 ℉). At the beginning of November you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 4.8 ℃ (40.64 ℉). At the end of November you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 3.3 ℃ (37.94 ℉). The average rainfall is 13.2 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808 and at the end of the month -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808.This data is approximate because we do not have exact data for this country. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.

December

Typical (usual) weather in Svalbard in December is this: The average highest temperature in Svalbard in December is 2.9 ℃ (37.22 ℉). The average lowest temperature is -26.2 ℃ (-15.16 ℉). At the beginning of December you can expect higher temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 3.3 ℃ (37.94 ℉). At the end of December you can expect lower temperatures, the average highest temperature is around 2.25 ℃ (36.05 ℉). The average rainfall is 13.7 mm (look here, what this number means). When planning your travel, please, keep in mind, that actual weather may differ from these average values. The length of the day at the beginning of this month is approximately -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808 (hours and minutes), in the middle of the month -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808 and at the end of the month -9223372036854775808:-9223372036854775808.This data is approximate because we do not have exact data for this country. It is important to say, that the weather may differ significantly in different altitudes, especially in mountains.



When you read about the number of mm of rainfall, you should know this: Light rain is when the precipitation rate is less than 2.5 mm (0.1 in) per hour. For moderate rain this number is between 2.5 mm and 10 mm (0.4 in), for heavy rain it is 10 mm - 50 mm (2.0 in). Violent rain has this number higher than 50 mm per hour.