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The climate of Hammerfest is
subarctic, with very cold, snowy winters and very cool summers.
The town is located on the northern Norwegian coast, in an area of fjords and islands (the city itself is located on an island, Kvaløya), and about 90 km (55 mi) south-west of the North Cape.
Since we are at the 70th parallel, therefore north of the Polar Circle, the
sun does not rise (polar night) from November 23rd to January 19th, and does not set (midnight sun) from May 15th to July 30th. The
white nights, in which it is not completely dark even at midnight, occur as early as April 9 and until September 3.
Despite the latitude, the sea does not freeze even in winter thanks to the Gulf Stream.
In
winter, the ground is often covered with snow, however, there are quite mild periods, in which the temperature is just above freezing, and rain falls, or rain mixed with snow. However, a strong wind can blow during these times.
However, there are also
cold periods, more or less long depending on the winter, in which the temperature drops below freezing and stays below even during the day.
On the coldest days of the year, the temperature generally drops to around -15 °C (5 °F), although it can drop to lower values from time to time. The cold record, -23.5 °C (-10.3 °F) dates back to January 1968.
The
summer is very cool, if not cold, with fairly frequent rains. The only months in which the temperature never drops below freezing are July and August. Even in these months, however, there can be cold days, with highs below 10 °C (50 °F).
Sometimes, however, from June to August there may be periods of a few days when the temperature exceeds 20 °C (68 °F). Once every few years, the temperature can even exceed 25 °C (77 °F). The highest record is 29.7 °C (85.5 °F) and was set in July 1960.
Best Time
The best time to visit Hammerfest is the
summer, in July and August, since they are the mildest months. However, there are often cloudy skies, some rainy days and a bit of cold. Therefore, it is advisable to bring a jacket and a sweater even in the height of summer.
Hammerfest - Climate data
In Hammerfest, the
average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of -4.1 °C (24.6 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 11.7 °C (53.0 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Hammerfest - Average temperatures (1991-2020) | Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
|---|
| January | -6 | -1 | -3.7 | 21 | 30 | 25.3 |
|---|
| February | -7 | -2 | -4.1 | 20 | 29 | 24.6 |
|---|
| March | -5 | -1 | -2.9 | 23 | 31 | 26.8 |
|---|
| April | -2 | 2 | -0.1 | 28 | 36 | 31.8 |
|---|
| May | 2 | 6 | 3.9 | 35 | 43 | 39 |
|---|
| June | 5 | 10 | 8 | 42 | 51 | 46.3 |
|---|
| July | 9 | 14 | 11.7 | 48 | 58 | 53 |
|---|
| August | 8 | 13 | 10.8 | 47 | 56 | 51.5 |
|---|
| September | 6 | 10 | 7.6 | 42 | 50 | 45.8 |
|---|
| October | 1 | 5 | 2.7 | 34 | 40 | 36.9 |
|---|
| November | -3 | 1 | -0.6 | 27 | 35 | 30.8 |
|---|
| December | -4 | 0 | -2.2 | 24 | 32 | 28.1 |
|---|
| Year | 0.3 | 4.9 | 2.6 | 32.6 | 40.9 | 36.5 |
|---|
In Hammerfest,
precipitation amounts to 925 millimeters (36.4 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 55 mm (2.2 in) in the driest months (May, July) to 120 mm (4.7 in) in the wettest one (March). Here is the average precipitation.
Hammerfest - Average precipitation| Month | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
|---|
| January | 90 | 3.5 | 15 |
|---|
| February | 75 | 3 | 13 |
|---|
| March | 120 | 4.7 | 20 |
|---|
| April | 60 | 2.4 | 13 |
|---|
| May | 55 | 2.2 | 12 |
|---|
| June | 60 | 2.4 | 11 |
|---|
| July | 55 | 2.2 | 9 |
|---|
| August | 70 | 2.8 | 12 |
|---|
| September | 75 | 3 | 13 |
|---|
| October | 90 | 3.5 | 16 |
|---|
| November | 75 | 3 | 14 |
|---|
| December | 100 | 3.9 | 17 |
|---|
| Year | 925 | 36.4 | 165 |
|---|
At Hammerfest, the
sea temperature ranges from 4.5 °C (40 °F) in March, April to 10 °C (50 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Hammerfest - Sea temperature| Month | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
|---|
January | 5 | 41 | February | 5 | 41 | March | 4.5 | 40 | April | 4.5 | 40 | May | 5.5 | 42 | June | 7 | 45 | July | 9.5 | 49 | August | 10 | 50 | September | 9 | 49 | October | 7.5 | 46 | November | 6.5 | 44 | December | 6 | 43 | Year | 6.7 | 44.1 |
Hammerfest - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
In
January, the weather in Hammerfest is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -3.7 °C (25 °F), with a minimum of -6.1 °C (20.9 °F) and a maximum of -1.3 °C (29.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -14 °C (7 °F). However, it dropped to -21 °C (-5.8 °F) in January 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it reached 9 °C (48.2 °F) in January 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 1 hour and 10 minutes. So the days are very short.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (41.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In
February, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Hammerfest is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -4.1 °C (25 °F), with a minimum of -6.6 °C (20.2 °F) and a maximum of -1.7 °C (29 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13.5 °C (8 °F). However, it dropped to -20 °C (-4 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it reached 8 °C (46.4 °F) in February 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are short.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (40.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In
March, the weather in Hammerfest is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -2.9 °C (27 °F), with a minimum of -5.2 °C (22.7 °F) and a maximum of -0.6 °C (30.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -11.5 °C (11 °F). However, it dropped to -16.4 °C (2.5 °F) in March 2013.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it reached 8 °C (46.4 °F) in March 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 20 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In
April, the weather in Hammerfest is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -0.1 °C (32 °F), with a minimum of -2.3 °C (27.8 °F) and a maximum of 2.2 °C (35.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (16.5 °F). However, it dropped to -16 °C (3.2 °F) in April 1991.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 8 °C (46 °F). However, it reached 14 °C (57.2 °F) in April 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 35 minutes.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4.5 °C (40 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In
May, the weather in Hammerfest is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.9 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 1.6 °C (34.8 °F) and a maximum of 6.2 °C (43.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7 °C (19.4 °F) in May 2019.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it reached 22.2 °C (72 °F) in May 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 22 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In
June, the weather in Hammerfest is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8.0 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 5.5 °C (41.8 °F) and a maximum of 10.4 °C (50.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 1.5 °C (34.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.9 °C (30.4 °F) in June 1999.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (68.5 °F). However, it reached 26.2 °C (79.2 °F) in June 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 24 hours. So the sun is always above the horizon.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (44.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In
July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Hammerfest is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.7 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 8.9 °C (48.1 °F) and a maximum of 14.4 °C (58 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 3 °C (37.4 °F) in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 29 °C (84.2 °F) in July 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 23 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9.5 °C (48.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In
August, the weather in Hammerfest is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.8 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 8.3 °C (47 °F) and a maximum of 13.3 °C (56 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in August 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 29.3 °C (84.7 °F) in August 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 18 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (50.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In
September, the weather in Hammerfest is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.6 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 5.6 °C (42 °F) and a maximum of 9.7 °C (49.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F) in September 1998.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in September 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9 °C (48.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In
October, the weather in Hammerfest is usually cold. The average temperature is of 2.7 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of 0.9 °C (33.5 °F) and a maximum of 4.6 °C (40.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (22.5 °F). However, it dropped to -11 °C (12.2 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in October 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 40 minutes.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7.5 °C (46 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In
November, the weather in Hammerfest is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -0.6 °C (31 °F), with a minimum of -2.7 °C (27.1 °F) and a maximum of 1.4 °C (34.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -9 °C (16 °F). However, it dropped to -13.3 °C (8.1 °F) in November 2010.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 7 °C (44 °F). However, it reached 10 °C (50 °F) in November 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 2 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are very short.
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 6.5 °C (44 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
In
December, the weather in Hammerfest is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -2.2 °C (28 °F), with a minimum of -4.4 °C (24.1 °F) and a maximum of 0.1 °C (32.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11.5 °C (11.5 °F). However, it dropped to -17 °C (1.4 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it reached 9.2 °C (48.6 °F) in December 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 0 hours and 0 minutes. So the sun is always below the horizon.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C (43 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.