Climate - Bergen (Norway)

The climate of Bergen is oceanic, with cold, rainy winters and cool summers.
The city is located in the south-west of Norway, in Vestland County, in the mildest and rainiest part of the country, directly exposed to the Atlantic currents. Actually, Bergen is the rainiest city in Europe.
Besides, it is one of the least sunny cities in the world, although it must be said that the sun is partially shielded by the hill that lies immediately east of the city, Ulriken, which is 643 meters (2,110 feet) high. In fact, the weather station of thr Florida district measures 1,135 hours of sunshine per year, but at Flesland Airport, located southwest of the city, the hours of sunshine are 1,585.
The city is bathed by the sea because it is located in an area of fjords and inlets, but the coast of the Atlantic Ocean is 20 km (12 mi) further west.

The winter is cold, cloudy and rainy. The mildest days, in which the temperature can reach 8/10 °C (46/50 °F), are humid and rainy as well, and sometimes windy.
There are also colder periods, when it can snow, and the temperature can drop below freezing.
On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature typically drops to -8/-10 °C (14/18 °F), but can sometimes drop lower. The coldest record of -16.3 °C (2.7 °F) was recorded in January 1987, which was a very cold month in Scandinavia.

The summer is mild, with fairly frequent rains. The sun is not seen very often, however, the days are very long.
When it's not raining, there are pleasant days, with highs around 20 °C (68 °F). Sometimes, there can be warm days; on average, the temperature exceeds 25 °C (77 °F) for seven days a year.
In recent years, there have also been short, hot periods, in which the temperature has reached 28/30 °C (82/86 °F). The highest record is 33.4 °C (92.1 °F) and was set in July 2019.

The latitude of Bergen is 60°24'N. On the shortest day of the year, December 21st, the sun rises at 9:44 am and sets at 3:29 pm. On the longest day, June 21, the sun rises at 4:10 am and sets at 11:11 pm. The white nights, in which it is not completely dark even at midnight, occur from May 10 to August 2.

Best Time

The best time to visit Bergen is the summer, from June to August, since it is the mildest season. However, you must take into account some rainy days and a bit of cold at night.

Bergen - Climate data

In Bergen, the average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of 2.5 °C (36.5 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 16.1 °C (61.0 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Bergen, precipitation amounts to 2490 millimeters (98 inches) per year: it is therefore abundant. It ranges from 110 mm (4.3 in) in the driest month (May) to 290 mm (11.4 in) in the wettest one (December). Here is the average precipitation.
At Bergen, the sea temperature ranges from 5.5 °C (42 °F) in March to 15 °C (59 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
In Bergen, there are on average around 1135 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Bergen - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Bergen is usually cold. The average temperature is of 2.6 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of 0.6 °C (33 °F) and a maximum of 4.7 °C (40.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21 °F). However, it dropped to -13.4 °C (7.9 °F) in January 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it reached 12.4 °C (54.3 °F) in January 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 255 mm (10 in), distributed over 19 days.
The day lasts on average 6 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 0.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 7% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (44.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Bergen is usually cold. The average temperature is of 2.5 °C (36 °F), with a minimum of 0.1 °C (32.2 °F) and a maximum of 4.9 °C (40.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21 °F). However, it dropped to -13.4 °C (7.9 °F) in February 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it reached 13.5 °C (56.3 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 210 mm (8.3 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 19% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C (43 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Bergen is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.1 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 1.3 °C (34.3 °F) and a maximum of 6.9 °C (44.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24 °F). However, it dropped to -12 °C (10.4 °F) in March 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (54 °F). However, it reached 17.2 °C (63 °F) in March 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 200 mm (7.9 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 22% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5.5 °C (42 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Bergen is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.5 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 3.9 °C (39 °F) and a maximum of 11.1 °C (51.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -5.3 °C (22.5 °F) in April 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 25.5 °C (77.9 °F) in April 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 140 mm (5.5 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C (43 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Bergen is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.0 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 7 °C (44.5 °F) and a maximum of 15 °C (59 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.1 °C (31.8 °F) in May 2014.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 31.2 °C (88.2 °F) in May 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 17 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Bergen is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.8 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 10 °C (50 °F) and a maximum of 17.5 °C (63.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 2.7 °C (36.9 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25 °C (77 °F). However, it reached 29.9 °C (85.8 °F) in June 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 135 mm (5.3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 18 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are very long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 28% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Bergen is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 16.1 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) and a maximum of 19.7 °C (67.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 6.1 °C (43 °F) in July 2020.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 33.4 °C (92.1 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 18 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 27% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14 °C (57.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In August, the weather in Bergen is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.8 °C (61 °F), with a minimum of 12.4 °C (54.4 °F) and a maximum of 19.3 °C (66.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.9 °C (42.6 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26 °C (79 °F). However, it reached 30.7 °C (87.3 °F) in August 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 210 mm (8.3 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Bergen is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.0 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 9.9 °C (49.8 °F) and a maximum of 16.2 °C (61.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to -0.1 °C (31.8 °F) in September 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 27.6 °C (81.7 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 245 mm (9.6 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Bergen is usually mild. The average temperature is of 8.9 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 6.1 °C (42.9 °F) and a maximum of 11.6 °C (53 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32 °F). However, it dropped to -4.7 °C (23.5 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 23.8 °C (74.8 °F) in October 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 270 mm (10.6 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 19% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (53 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Bergen is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.3 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 3 °C (37.4 °F) and a maximum of 7.6 °C (45.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (26 °F). However, it dropped to -9.5 °C (14.9 °F) in November 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it reached 17.9 °C (64.2 °F) in November 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 270 mm (10.6 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are short.
There is an average of 1 hour of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 13% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Bergen is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.1 °C (38 °F), with a minimum of 0.9 °C (33.7 °F) and a maximum of 5.2 °C (41.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10.9 °C (12.4 °F) in December 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). However, it reached 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) in December 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 290 mm (11.4 in), distributed over 19 days.
The day lasts on average 5 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 0.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 5% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (46.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.