Climate - Kirkenes (Norway)

The climate of Kirkenes is cold continental, with freezing winters and mild summers.
The town is located in the extreme north-east of Norway, near the border with Russia and Finland, on the coast, but inside a fjord. The distance from the open sea, 18 km (11 mi), is already enough to make the climate colder than on the northern coast, where the last branch of the Gulf Stream arrives.
Since we are at the 69th parallel, therefore north of the Polar Circle, the sun does not rise (polar night) from November 28th to January 15th, and does not set (midnight sun) from May 19th to July 25th. The white nights, in which it is not completely dark even at midnight, occur as early as April 12th and until August 31st.

The winter is very cold, with fairly frequent snowfalls, although generally not abundant. The temperature exceeds freezing very rarely.
On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature typically drops to -30 °C (-22 °F). The cold record is -41.8 °C (-43.2 °F) and was set in January 1999.
Also, the winter is long. The cold record of April is -20 °C (-4 °F), and that of May is -13.5 °C (7.5 °F).

The summer is cool, with quite frequent rains. There are also cold days, with highs around 10 °C (50 °F).
However, there may also be pleasant periods, generally of short duration, with highs of 20/22 °C (64/72 °F).
Once every few years, the temperature can reach or exceed 28 °C (82.5 °F). The record temperature of 32.7 °C (91 °F) was recorded in July 1972. More recently, the temperature reached 31.3 °C (88.3 °F) in July 2018, when there were even eight days with 28 °C (82.5 °F) or more.

Best Time

The best time to visit Kirkenes is the summer, from June to August, since it is the mildest season. However, you must take into account cloudy skies, some rain and a bit of cold. Therefore, it is advisable to bring a jacket and a sweater even in the height of summer.

Kirkenes - Climate data

In Kirkenes, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -10.0 °C (14.0 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 12.7 °C (54.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Kirkenes, precipitation amounts to 460 millimeters (18.1 inches) per year: it is therefore quite scarce. It ranges from 20 mm (0.8 in) in the driest month (May) to 60 mm (2.4 in) in the wettest ones (July, August) Here is the average precipitation.
At Kirkenes, the sea temperature ranges from 3 °C (37 °F) in March, April to 9.5 °C (49 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Kirkenes - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Kirkenes is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -10.0 °C (14 °F), with a minimum of -13.6 °C (7.5 °F) and a maximum of -6.4 °C (20.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -26.5 °C (-16 °F). However, it dropped to -41.8 °C (-43.2 °F) in January 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it reached 5.3 °C (41.5 °F) in January 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 1 hour and 50 minutes. So the days are very short.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4 °C (39 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Kirkenes is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -9.9 °C (14 °F), with a minimum of -13.3 °C (8.1 °F) and a maximum of -6.5 °C (20.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -25.5 °C (-14 °F). However, it dropped to -32.7 °C (-26.9 °F) in February 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it reached 4.7 °C (40.5 °F) in February 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 7 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are short.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3.5 °C (38 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Kirkenes is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -6.0 °C (21 °F), with a minimum of -9.2 °C (15.4 °F) and a maximum of -2.8 °C (27 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -20 °C (-4.5 °F). However, it dropped to -30 °C (-22 °F) in March 2018.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 3 °C (38 °F). However, it reached 6.1 °C (43 °F) in March 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3 °C (37.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Kirkenes is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -1.2 °C (30 °F), with a minimum of -4.2 °C (24.4 °F) and a maximum of 1.8 °C (35.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -14 °C (7 °F). However, it dropped to -19.7 °C (-3.5 °F) in April 1991.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 8 °C (46 °F). However, it reached 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) in April 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 20 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 3 °C (38 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Kirkenes is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.2 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 1.1 °C (34 °F) and a maximum of 7.4 °C (45.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (25.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8 °C (17.6 °F) in May 1996.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it reached 28.8 °C (83.8 °F) in May 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 20 mm (0.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 22 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4 °C (39.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Kirkenes is usually mild. The average temperature is of 8.9 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 5.5 °C (41.9 °F) and a maximum of 12.3 °C (54.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.7 °C (30.7 °F) in June 1998.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73 °F). However, it reached 28.7 °C (83.7 °F) in June 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 24 hours. So the sun is always above the horizon.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C (43 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Kirkenes is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.7 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 9 °C (48.3 °F) and a maximum of 16.4 °C (61.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.2 °C (37.8 °F) in July 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 31.3 °C (88.3 °F) in July 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 23 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In August, the weather in Kirkenes is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.5 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 8.2 °C (46.8 °F) and a maximum of 14.8 °C (58.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to -1.3 °C (29.7 °F) in August 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 30.7 °C (87.3 °F) in August 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 18 hours and 110 minutes. So the days are very long.
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 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Kirkenes is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.4 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 4.7 °C (40.4 °F) and a maximum of 10.1 °C (50.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5.9 °C (21.4 °F) in September 1998.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 22.2 °C (72 °F) in September 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
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 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Kirkenes is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.1 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -0.9 °C (30.3 °F) and a maximum of 3.1 °C (37.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -9 °C (15.5 °F). However, it dropped to -17 °C (1.4 °F) in October 2019.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it reached 13.6 °C (56.5 °F) in October 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 55 minutes.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (45 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Kirkenes is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -4.7 °C (24 °F), with a minimum of -7.4 °C (18.8 °F) and a maximum of -2 °C (28.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -17.5 °C (0 °F). However, it dropped to -27.5 °C (-17.5 °F) in November 2002.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it reached 7 °C (44.6 °F) in November 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 3 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are very short.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C (42.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Kirkenes is usually freezing cold. The average temperature is of -7.3 °C (19 °F), with a minimum of -10.6 °C (12.9 °F) and a maximum of -4 °C (24.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -21.5 °C (-7 °F). However, it dropped to -33.7 °C (-28.7 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 3 °C (37 °F). However, it reached 7 °C (44.6 °F) in December 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 0 hours and 0 minutes. So the sun is always below the horizon.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (41 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.