Our verdict
The best time to visit Longyearbyen is May-August
In summer, the average maximum temperature is around 3℃ (38℉), but temperatures can sometimes reach as high as 7℃ (46℉) on the hottest days of the year. In the colder months such as March, temperatures usually get down to an average minimum of -18℃ (-0℉).
The longest days between sunrise and sunset in Longyearbyen are usually in September, so if you want to get the most out of your daytime activities, be sure to plan your visit around this time. The wet season in Longyearbyen usually falls during the months surrounding October each year. It’s not uncommon to get some decent rainfall or light showers during this time, but on some days the weather tends to be fine for a majority of the day, with only a few drops of rain falling from a passing shower.
Continue reading to find out more about when to visit Longyearbyen, including the climate, seasonal info, what to pack, FAQs, and the best tools to help you plan and book your next vacation.
Quick links: Fast facts / Seasons / Average temperatures / Monthly climate / FAQs / Map
Longyearbyen seasons
Before you continue, it’s important to know when the seasons are in Longyearbyen as they might be different to yours depending on where in the world you’re travelling from. Longyearbyen is in the Northern Hemisphere, so the seasons fall during these months:
| Season | Months |
|---|---|
| Summer | June to August |
| Autumn/fall | September to November |
| Winter | December to February |
| Spring | March to May |
Average temperatures in Longyearbyen
If the temperature is a big factor for you to help you decide when to visit, the chart below shows the average minimum and maximum temperatures in Longyearbyen for each month side-by-side so you can easily see the difference in weather throughout the year. To see the temperatures in both Celsius (°C) and Fahrenheit (°F), hover or tap the shaded boxes on the graph.
Longyearbyen climate by month
If you already have a rough idea about which months you might want to travel, the section below shows a detailed breakdown of the climate in Longyearbyen for each month so you can see if it all suits your wants and needs. Scroll down, or use the quick menu below to jump to your preferred month.
Jump to:
Longyearbyen in January
- Average temperature: -12℃ (10℉)
- Average high temperature: -10℃ (14℉)
- Average low temperature: -15℃ (5℉)
- Average humidity: 90%
- Average sunny days: 16 days
- Average rainfall: 26mm (1") over 3 days
- Average snow days: 15 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Longyearbyen in January, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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Longyearbyen in February
- Average temperature: -13℃ (8℉)
- Average high temperature: -11℃ (12℉)
- Average low temperature: -16℃ (3℉)
- Average humidity: 91%
- Average sunny days: 14 days
- Average rainfall: 20mm (1") over 3 days
- Average snow days: 15 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Longyearbyen in February, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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Longyearbyen in March
- Average temperature: -15℃ (6℉)
- Average high temperature: -12℃ (11℉)
- Average low temperature: -18℃ (-0℉)
- Average humidity: 90%
- Average sunny days: 16 days
- Average rainfall: 23mm (1") over 6 days
- Average snow days: 15 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Longyearbyen in March, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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Longyearbyen in April
- Average temperature: -11℃ (13℉)
- Average high temperature: -8℃ (18℉)
- Average low temperature: -15℃ (5℉)
- Average humidity: 87%
- Average sunny days: 15 days
- Average rainfall: 20mm (1") over 7 days
- Average snow days: 14 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Longyearbyen in April, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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Longyearbyen in May
- Average temperature: -4℃ (25℉)
- Average high temperature: -2℃ (28℉)
- Average low temperature: -7℃ (20℉)
- Average humidity: 86%
- Average sunny days: 14 days
- Average rainfall: 21mm (1") over 6 days
- Average snow days: 16 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Longyearbyen in May, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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Longyearbyen in June
- Average temperature: 0℃ (33℉)
- Average high temperature: 1℃ (34℉)
- Average low temperature: -2℃ (29℉)
- Average humidity: 91%
- Average sunny days: 16 days
- Average rainfall: 13mm (1") over 7 days
- Average snow days: 8 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Longyearbyen in June, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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Longyearbyen in July
- Average temperature: 3℃ (37℉)
- Average high temperature: 3℃ (38℉)
- Average low temperature: 1℃ (34℉)
- Average humidity: 93%
- Average sunny days: 14 days
- Average rainfall: 17mm (1") over 12 days
- Average snow days: 1 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Longyearbyen in July, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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Longyearbyen in August
- Average temperature: 2℃ (36℉)
- Average high temperature: 3℃ (38℉)
- Average low temperature: 0℃ (33℉)
- Average humidity: 90%
- Average sunny days: 16 days
- Average rainfall: 23mm (1") over 11 days
- Average snow days: 3 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Longyearbyen in August, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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Longyearbyen in September
- Average temperature: -0℃ (32℉)
- Average high temperature: 1℃ (34℉)
- Average low temperature: -2℃ (28℉)
- Average humidity: 90%
- Average sunny days: 14 days
- Average rainfall: 28mm (1") over 12 days
- Average snow days: 6 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Longyearbyen in September, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
Longyearbyen in October
- Average temperature: -5℃ (22℉)
- Average high temperature: -4℃ (26℉)
- Average low temperature: -8℃ (18℉)
- Average humidity: 89%
- Average sunny days: 14 days
- Average rainfall: 29mm (1") over 9 days
- Average snow days: 12 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Longyearbyen in October, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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Longyearbyen in November
- Average temperature: -9℃ (15℉)
- Average high temperature: -7℃ (20℉)
- Average low temperature: -12℃ (10℉)
- Average humidity: 88%
- Average sunny days: 15 days
- Average rainfall: 28mm (1") over 5 days
- Average snow days: 15 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Longyearbyen in November, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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Longyearbyen in December
- Average temperature: -11℃ (12℉)
- Average high temperature: -9℃ (16℉)
- Average low temperature: -14℃ (7℉)
- Average humidity: 88%
- Average sunny days: 16 days
- Average rainfall: 26mm (1") over 3 days
- Average snow days: 14 days
of pure sunshine
of showers or rain
What to pack: If you’re heading to Longyearbyen in December, make sure you pack a thick snow/winter jacket, thermals and some extra layers as it's always very cold.
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