Season by season
Polar night (November–January). The sun stays below the horizon from late October to mid-February and for about ten weeks it is dark all day. This is the time for northern lights, snow-cat and dog-sled trips by headlamp, and a quiet town. Many boat and long-range trips do not run.
Sunny winter (February–May). Light returns in February and by late April the sun no longer sets. With deep snow, frozen fjords and long days, March and April are peak season for snowmobile, ski and dog-sled expeditions. It is also the coldest time of year.
Summer (June–August). The fjords open, boat trips and expedition cruises run, birds return in their millions and the tundra briefly flowers. Midnight sun lasts until about 22 August. Temperatures hover a few degrees above freezing.
Autumn (September–October). Sunsets return, the first snow falls and visitor numbers drop. Boats run into October if the weather allows; the last weeks before the dark are atmospheric and good value.
Month-by-month
| Month | Avg. high | Avg. low | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -9°C / 16°F | -15°C / 5°F | Quiet |
| February | -9°C / 16°F | -16°C / 3°F | Moderate |
| March | -9°C / 16°F | -15°C / 5°F | Peak |
| April | -6°C / 21°F | -12°C / 10°F | Peak |
| May | -1°C / 30°F | -5°C / 23°F | Moderate |
| June | 5°C / 41°F | 1°C / 34°F | Busy |
| July | 9°C / 48°F | 5°C / 41°F | Peak |
| August | 8°C / 46°F | 4°C / 39°F | Peak |
| September | 3°C / 37°F | -1°C / 30°F | Moderate |
| October | -2°C / 28°F | -6°C / 21°F | Quiet |
| November | -5°C / 23°F | -10°C / 14°F | Quiet |
| December | -7°C / 19°F | -13°C / 9°F | Quiet |
Figures for: Longyearbyen (Svalbard Airport). Temperatures are rounded long-term averages for the place named above; real days vary widely, and wind makes it feel much colder. Crowd levels are our own estimate.
Events & festivals
- Late January–February: Polarjazz, billed as the world’s northernmost jazz festival
- Around 8 March: Solfestuka, the week celebrating the sun’s return to Longyearbyen
- April: Svalbard Skimaraton, a cross-country ski marathon with polar bear guards
- Around 20 April–22 August: Midnight sun
- Early June: Spitsbergen Marathon
- Late October: Dark Season Blues festival as the polar night begins
