Climate - Tromso (Norway)

The climate of Tromsø is subarctic, with very cold winters and cool summers.
Tromsø is the largest city in Northern Norway, and is located on a small island, Tromsøya, which is not directly on the coast of the Norwegian Sea, because to the west and north there are other islands, which are also home to mountains around 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) high.
However, the influence of the sea and the Gulf Stream is felt, so much so that temperatures in winter do not reach too low values, at least when considering the latitude. On the coldest nights of the year, it typically drops to around -14 °C (7 °F), and the coldest record is -20 °C (or -4 °F, recorded in February 1985 and January 1987).
In return, snowfalls are frequent and sometimes abundant. Indeed, Tromso is a very snowy city. The maximum snow depth is usually reached in April. In April 2019, the snow reached a height of one and a half meters (60 inches), but in April 1997, it reached 240 cm (95 in).
There are also periods when the temperature exceeds freezing, the snow melts, at least partially, and rain falls instead of snow. However, a strong wind can blow during these times.
In any case, the winter is long. In 2013, the temperature dropped to -13.3 °C (8 °F) still in April.
The summer is cool, with frequent rains. There are also cold days, with highs around 10 °C (50 °F). At night, the temperature can drop to as low as 0 °C (32 °F) in June, and to 5 °C (41 °F) from July to mid-August.
However, there may also be pleasant periods, generally of short duration, with highs of 18/22 °C (64/72 °F). Occasionally, once every few years, the temperature can exceed 25 °C (77 F°). In July 1972, it reached 30 °C (86 °F). More recently, in July 2019, it reached 29 °C (84 °F).
The sun is not seen very often even in summer: in June, the sunniest month, the sun shines on average for 7 hours and a half per day, which, compared to the 24 hours available, it's about 30% of the time.
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 14th, while it does not set (midnight sun) from May 19th to July 26th. The white nights, in which it is not completely dark even at midnight, occur as early as April 12th and until September 1st.

Best Time

The best time to visit Tromsø 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, although it will not always be necessary to wear them.

Tromso - Climate data

In Tromso, the average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of -3.2 °C (26.2 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 12.5 °C (54.4 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Tromso, precipitation amounts to 1020 millimeters (40.2 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 55 mm (2.2 in) in the driest months (May, June) to 125 mm (4.9 in) in the wettest one (October). Here is the average precipitation.
At Tromso, the sea temperature ranges from 4.5 °C (40 °F) in March, April to 11.5 °C (53 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
In Tromso, there are on average around 1265 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Tromso - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Tromso is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -2.9 °C (27 °F), with a minimum of -5.4 °C (22.2 °F) and a maximum of -0.4 °C (31.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13 °C (9 °F). However, it dropped to -16.3 °C (2.7 °F) in January 2019.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it reached 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) in January 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 1 hour and 50 minutes. So the days are very short.
There are on average 0 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 5% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Tromso is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -3.2 °C (26 °F), with a minimum of -5.7 °C (21.7 °F) and a maximum of -0.7 °C (30.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13 °C (8.5 °F). However, it dropped to -17.6 °C (0.3 °F) in February 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it reached 9 °C (48.2 °F) in February 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 13 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 15% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (41 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Tromso is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -1.9 °C (29 °F), with a minimum of -4.4 °C (24 °F) and a maximum of 0.7 °C (33.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -11.5 °C (11 °F). However, it dropped to -17.3 °C (0.9 °F) in March 1998.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it reached 8.6 °C (47.5 °F) in March 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. 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.

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In April, the weather in Tromso is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.2 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -1.5 °C (29.3 °F) and a maximum of 3.9 °C (39.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (16.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13.3 °C (8.1 °F) in April 2013.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it reached 16.1 °C (61 °F) in April 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Tromso is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.7 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 2.7 °C (36.9 °F) and a maximum of 8.6 °C (47.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -5.9 °C (21.4 °F) in May 1995.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it reached 23.5 °C (74.3 °F) in May 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 22 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 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 June, the weather in Tromso is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 6.6 °C (44 °F) and a maximum of 12.4 °C (54.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.4 °C (32.7 °F) in June 2004.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 26.4 °C (79.5 °F) in June 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 24 hours. So the sun is always above the horizon.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
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 8 °C (46.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Tromso is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.5 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 9.3 °C (48.8 °F) and a maximum of 15.6 °C (60.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 4.2 °C (39.6 °F) in July 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 28.7 °C (83.7 °F) in July 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 23 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 28% of the time.
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 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In August, the weather in Tromso is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.5 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 8.5 °C (47.2 °F) and a maximum of 14.5 °C (58.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °F). However, it dropped to 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) in August 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). However, it reached 26.1 °C (79 °F) in August 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 18 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 5.5 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 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Tromso is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8.0 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 5.2 °C (41.4 °F) and a maximum of 10.7 °C (51.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (32 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F) in September 2001.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it reached 21.2 °C (70.2 °F) in September 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 23% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (50.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Tromso is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.2 °C (38 °F), with a minimum of 0.9 °C (33.5 °F) and a maximum of 5.5 °C (41.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.4 °C (9.7 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it reached 17 °C (62.6 °F) in October 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 125 mm (4.9 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 18% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. 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 November, the weather in Tromso is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.2 °C (32 °F), with a minimum of -2.1 °C (28.1 °F) and a maximum of 2.5 °C (36.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (16.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13.9 °C (7 °F) in November 1992.
On the warmest days, the temperature usually reaches around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it reached 12 °C (53.6 °F) in November 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 3 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are very short.
There are on average 0 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 6% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Tromso is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -1.6 °C (29 °F), with a minimum of -4 °C (24.8 °F) and a maximum of 0.9 °C (33.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11 °C (12 °F). However, it dropped to -17.2 °C (1 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it reached 9 °C (48.2 °F) in December 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 0 hours and 0 minutes. So the sun is always below the horizon.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.