Best Time to Visit Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Month-by-month climate guide for planning a trip to Longyearbyen.
Longyearbyen does not have a month that clearly fits our sunny profiles. Its practical travel window centres on its warmest (July, 5.9°C / 42.6°F) and driest (May, 18 mm / 0.7 in) months. The drier stretch runs through November–May; the wetter half falls in June–October. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from -14.7°C / 5.5°F in February to 5.9°C / 42.6°F in July, with rainfall from 18 mm / 0.7 in (May) to 44 mm / 1.7 in (July). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Longyearbyen, Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Longyearbyen's climate is broadly seasonal. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| July | 5.9°C42.6°F | 44 mm1.7″ | — |
| June | 2.5°C36.5°F | 29 mm1.1″ | — |
| August | 4.8°C40.6°F | 43 mm1.7″ | — |
No month at Longyearbyen matches our sunny profiles. The three above are the driest-and-warmest fallback.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Longyearbyen?
Longyearbyen doesn't have a month that clearly matches our sunny profiles. The practical travel window centres on May (driest, ~18 mm / 0.7 in) and July (warmest, 5.9°C / 42.6°F). Because these are point values at the city, they can differ substantially from Svalbard and Jan Mayen's national average.
When is the rainy season in Longyearbyen?
The rainy season at Longyearbyen, Svalbard runs through June–October, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 28 mm / 1.1 in. The wettest single month is July (44 mm / 1.7 in).
What is the driest month in Longyearbyen?
The driest month in Longyearbyen is May, averaging about 18 mm / 0.7 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages -3.4°C / 25.9°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Longyearbyen?
The least comfortable months for travel to Longyearbyen — based on point-value climate at the city — are January, February, March, July, August, September, December. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 44 mm / 1.7 in in July, and the coldest month averages -14.7°C / 5.5°F.
Is Longyearbyen climate different from Svalbard and Jan Mayen overall?
Yes, usually. Our Longyearbyen figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our Svalbard and Jan Mayen figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Longyearbyen specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.