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Svalbard in May: weather, activities and where to go

Do you want to travel to Svalbard in May? Find the usual weather conditions for that time, possible activities and the best cities to know if the month of May corresponds to your best time to Svalbard, Norway.

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When and where to go to Svalbard in May?

Check your ideal travel criteria and see if the month of May is a good choice to travel to Svalbard, with the most suitable cities.
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Svalbard in May: weather, activities and where to go

Page summary

Svalbard in May in summary
Possible activities in May
Animal observation Cultural visits and heritage Nature and landscapes Gastronomy
Hourly weather

Average weather in Svalbard in May 2027

Compare the most frequent average weather conditions by hour (6h, 9h, 12h, 15h, 18h, 21h, 0h and 3h) in the main cities of Svalbard in May. These statistics come from the seasonal normals of Svalbard over several years.

Spitzberg (Svalbard)
From 1st to 31 May 2027
very bad weather Detail
Spitzberg (Svalbard)
From 1st to 31 May 2027
0h
Dominant weather
Partly Cloudy
8 days out of 31 (25%)
-4.6°C
Other common conditions
Cloudy
7 days out of 31 (22%)
Clear/Sunny
6 days out of 31 (19%)
Snow showers
6 days out of 31 (19%)
3h
Dominant weather
Snow showers
10 days out of 31 (32%)
-4.0°C
Other common conditions
Partly Cloudy
8 days out of 31 (25%)
Clear/Sunny
7 days out of 31 (22%)
Cloudy
4 days out of 31 (12%)
6h
Dominant weather
Partly Cloudy
8 days out of 31 (25%)
-2.8°C
Other common conditions
Cloudy
8 days out of 31 (25%)
Clear/Sunny
7 days out of 31 (22%)
Snow showers
6 days out of 31 (19%)
9h
Dominant weather
Snow showers
10 days out of 31 (32%)
-2.0°C
Other common conditions
Partly Cloudy
8 days out of 31 (25%)
Clear/Sunny
7 days out of 31 (22%)
Cloudy
4 days out of 31 (12%)
12h
Dominant weather
Partly Cloudy
10 days out of 31 (32%)
-1.7°C
Other common conditions
Cloudy
8 days out of 31 (25%)
Clear/Sunny
7 days out of 31 (22%)
Snow showers
6 days out of 31 (19%)
15h
Dominant weather
Snow showers
10 days out of 31 (32%)
-1.7°C
Other common conditions
Partly Cloudy
7 days out of 31 (22%)
Clear/Sunny
7 days out of 31 (22%)
Cloudy
5 days out of 31 (16%)
18h
Dominant weather
Partly Cloudy
9 days out of 31 (29%)
-2.6°C
Other common conditions
Cloudy
8 days out of 31 (25%)
Clear/Sunny
7 days out of 31 (22%)
Snow showers
5 days out of 31 (16%)
21h
Dominant weather
Snow showers
10 days out of 31 (32%)
-3.9°C
Other common conditions
Partly Cloudy
8 days out of 31 (25%)
Clear/Sunny
7 days out of 31 (22%)
Cloudy
4 days out of 31 (12%)
Climate

Climate of Svalbard in May

Analyze the temperatures, rainfall and weather trends of the towns in the in May region, then provide the climatic summary for the period.

Weather charts in Svalbard in May

Temperatures and rain in Spitzberg in May

Average daily weather and comparison with other months of the year.
More details

Average daily weather

Temperatures, rain and snow day by day in May, with a separate scale for snow.
Minimal Average Maximums Average rainfall Daily snow

Monthly temperatures

The month of May is highlighted to compare it quickly with the rest of the year.
Minimal Average Maximums

Monthly precipitation

The bar for the month under study is highlighted.
Average rainfall

About the climate in Svalbard in May

The climate of Svalbard in May is rather dry, with monthly precipitation ranging from 35 mm to 48 mm depending on the areas.

Temperatures are very cold in Svalbard in May: average highs are around -1°C and lows can drop to -2°C.

With very unfavorable weather, the month of May is generally not recommended for going to Svalbard.

Some activities remain possible in Svalbard in May, notably: Animal observation, Cultural visits and heritage, Nature and landscapes and Gastronomy.

City map

Where to go to Svalbard in May?

Compare cities in the region by weather, activities, crowd levels or prices to quickly spot the best base and places to visit in May.

Caption
Prices monitored continuously

The best offers right now to Svalbard

Each map is a real return flight offered from London, with its dates, airline and price. Choose one to find it on Skyscanner, or start your own search just below.

The cheapest

London Spitzberg (Svalbard)

From 4 May to 9 May 2027

£231 per person
5 days on site With stopover(s) SAS
The cheapest

London Spitzberg (Svalbard)

From 24 May to 31 May 2027

£247 per person
7 days on site With stopover(s) SAS
The cheapest

London Spitzberg (Svalbard)

From 10 May to 19 May 2027

£267 per person
9 days on site With stopover(s) Ryanair
The cheapest

London Spitzberg (Svalbard)

From 22 May to 31 May 2027

£293 per person
9 days on site With stopover(s) Diamond Sakha Airlines
The cheapest

London Spitzberg (Svalbard)

From 6 May to 13 May 2027

£423 per person
7 days on site With stopover(s) SAS
Searching for the best deals…

Round-trip prices per person, recently collected from Skyscanner. Each offer has its own collection date and fares change constantly: the price displayed on Skyscanner is authoritative.

Activities and events

What to do in Svalbard in May?

Possible activities in May
Animal observationCultural visits and heritageNature and landscapesGastronomy
Activities not recommended in May
Boat trip and cruiseNorthern or Southern LightsWinter sports and snow
Observed weather

What was the weather like in May?

Choose a city of Svalbard to view the day-by-day weather calendar in May 2025, with observed conditions, temperatures and rain.

Regions

The other regions of Norway in May

Compare the regions of Norway over the same period, with a quick overview of the month's climate rating.

Best times to Svalbard Travel to Norway in May
Month by month

Best time to go to Svalbard month by month

Find the weather conditions in Svalbard for each month of the year and choose the most suitable period.

Frequently asked questions

Travel to to Svalbard in May: your frequently asked questions

Short answers to the questions we ask ourselves before booking for this month.

Not really. The weather conditions are unfavorable in Svalbard in May, which places this month 5th out of 12. A trip is still possible, but plan a flexible itinerary.

Expect an average of -1°C during the day and -2°C at night, with about 48 mm of precipitation spread over 3 rainy days.

No activity stands out as ideal this month, but conditions remain acceptable for Animal observation, Cultural visits and heritage, Nature and landscapes and Gastronomy.

Visitor numbers are moderate: this month is in High crowding, with an index of 48/100. It is often a good compromise between weather and tranquility.

Prices are average: level Moderate prices, with an index of 50/100, including flights and accommodation.
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