Climate in North Cape (Norway)

The climate of the North Cape is subarctic, with very cold winters and very cool to quite cold summers.
The North Cape (Nordkapp in Norwegian) is located on the northern coast of the island of Magerøya, in Finnmark county (which in 2020 became the county of Troms and Finnmark). The cliff from which you can admire the ocean is 300 meters (1,000 feet) above sea level. Another cape of the island, Knivskjellodden, is actually even further north, albeit of around 1,600 meters (one mile).
We are at the 71st parallel, so, much further north of the Arctic Circle. Consequently, the sun never rises (polar night) from November 20th to January 22nd, while you can watch the midnight sun from May 13th to July 31st, and the white nights, in which it is not completely dark even at midnight, from April 8th and, after the midnight sun, again until September 4th.
Despite the latitude, the sea does not freeze even in winter thanks to the Gulf Stream. Although the temperatures are not too low, the wind increases the feeling of cold.
Given the position exposed to ocean currents, in winter, the temperature only drops to around -15 °C (5 °F) on the coldest days, while in southern Finnmark it can drop to -40 °C (-40 °F) or below. The coldest record is -18.6 °C (-1.5 °F) and was set in January 1986.
Sometimes, the temperature can rise above freezing even in the middle of winter, and rain can fall instead of snow.
On the other hand, even in the height of summer, there can be cold days, with highs around 7/8 °C (44/46 °F), in addition, the wind can increase the feeling of cold. In May (and October) it is normally cold, and sometimes it can snow.
Occasionally, in summer, the temperature can reach or exceed 20 °C (68 °F), but sometimes it only does so for a day. The highest record is 28.6 °C (83.5 °F) and was set in July 1960.

Best Time

The best time to visit the North Cape is the summer, in July and August, since they are the mildest months. 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.

The following data refer to the Helnes lighthouse, located to the south-east, at another cape of the island.

North Cape - Climate data

In North Cape, the average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of -3 °C (26.6 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 10.6 °C (51.1 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 865 millimeters (34.1 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 35 mm (1.4 in) in the driest month (June) to 125 mm (4.9 in) in the wettest one (January). Here is the average precipitation.
The sea temperature ranges from 4 °C (39 °F) in February, March, April to

North Cape - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

---

January is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -2.5 °C (27 °F), with a minimum of -4.6 °C (23.6 °F) and a maximum of -0.4 °C (31.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10.5 °C (13 °F). However, it dropped to -17.4 °C (0.7 °F) in January 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it reached 7 °C (44.6 °F) in January 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 21 days.
The day lasts on average 0 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are very short.
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (41 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

February, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -3 °C (27 °F), with a minimum of -5 °C (22.9 °F) and a maximum of -1 °C (30.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10.5 °C (13 °F). However, it dropped to -17.2 °C (1 °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 7.8 °C (46 °F) in February 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 6 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are short.
The average sea temperature is of 4 °C (39 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

March is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -1.6 °C (29 °F), with a minimum of -3.4 °C (26 °F) and a maximum of 0.2 °C (32.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (17 °F). However, it dropped to -11.4 °C (11.5 °F) in March 1998.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it reached 8.7 °C (47.7 °F) in March 1998.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
The average sea temperature is of 4 °C (39 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

April is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 0.7 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -1.1 °C (30.1 °F) and a maximum of 2.5 °C (36.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21 °F). However, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in April 2013.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 7.5 °C (46 °F). However, it reached 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) in April 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 40 minutes.
The average sea temperature is of 4 °C (39 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

May is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.3 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 2.3 °C (36.1 °F) and a maximum of 6.3 °C (43.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -6.2 °C (20.8 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (56 °F). However, it reached 20.1 °C (68.2 °F) in May 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 23 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (41 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

June is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.5 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 5.5 °C (41.8 °F) and a maximum of 9.5 °C (49 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -0.6 °C (30.9 °F) in June 1998.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 22.9 °C (73.2 °F) in June 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 24 hours. So the sun is always above the horizon.
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (44.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.6 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 8.4 °C (47.1 °F) and a maximum of 12.9 °C (55.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in July 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 26.3 °C (79.3 °F) in July 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 24 hours. So the sun is always above the horizon.
The average sea temperature is of 9 °C (48 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

August is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.6 °C (51 °F), with a minimum of 8.6 °C (47.4 °F) and a maximum of 12.6 °C (54.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.1 °C (35.8 °F) in August 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20 °C (68 °F). However, it reached 24.7 °C (76.5 °F) in August 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 18 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (50 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

September is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 6.3 °C (43.3 °F) and a maximum of 9.7 °C (49.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in September 1998.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it reached 21.7 °C (71.1 °F) in September 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
The average sea temperature is of 9 °C (48 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

October is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 3.6 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 2 °C (35.7 °F) and a maximum of 5.2 °C (41.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.4 °C (20.5 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 10 °C (50.5 °F). However, it reached 14.3 °C (57.7 °F) in October 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 18 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 35 minutes.
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (44.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

November is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 0.5 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -1.3 °C (29.7 °F) and a maximum of 2.2 °C (36 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -11.2 °C (11.8 °F) in November 2002.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it reached 9.7 °C (49.5 °F) in November 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 2 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are very short.
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C (43 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

---

December is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -1 °C (30 °F), with a minimum of -2.9 °C (26.7 °F) and a maximum of 1 °C (33.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8 °C (17.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12 °C (10.4 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it reached 8.6 °C (47.5 °F) in December 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 20 days.
The day lasts on average 0 hours and 0 minutes. So the sun is always below the horizon.
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C (43 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.