The seasons of Svalbard

A journey across the Barents Sea, looking down on the largely ice-covered archipelago, may feel like a journey to the end of the world. Svalbard is a destination characterized by unique nature and contrasting seasons. There are three main seasons in Svalbard: Sunny winter, Polar summer and Northern Lights winter.

Sunny winter (1 March – 16 May)

Do you dream of driving a snowmobile through a snow-covered, frozen winter landscape? You can realize your dreams when we take you on a colourful and exotic adventure with one close-up nature-based experience after the other. It becomes gradually brighter and around 16 February the sun peaks over the horizon. The days become increasingly longer and the colours in the sky changes from tones of blue to an ever-changing pastel bonanza.

Ice-cold magic

To atone for the lack of light after the Polar Night, the nature comes alive in all its splendour. The exotic colours turn the wilderness into a photographer’s paradise with one great photo opportunity after the other. Capturing the contrasts and spectrum of colours that is constantly changing is a never-ending activity. At this time of the year, you can distinguish between the light of day and darkness of night before the arrival of the Midnight Sun in late April.

In March, the winter tightens its icy grip on what is considered one of Svalbard’s coldest months of the year. The average temperature is -16 ˚C and much of the landscape is frozen and covered with snow. This exceptional winter paradise offers a variety of winter activities including snowmobiling to the East Coast, and Tempelfjord. It’s not without reason that Svalbard is high on the list of many adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts.

Sun Festival Week

On 8 March, the first solar rays of the year reach the old hospital steps in Longyearbyen. After about four months in hibernation, we get a long-awaited dose of sun and vitamin D. The joy can be felt among those who have gathered to witness the sun’s return, with schoolchildren singing the Norwegian equivalent of “sun, sun, come on back, the sun is my best friend”. The week-long festival features a wide range of events for both children and adults alike to celebrate the sun’s return.

Beautiful winter sunsets

The sunsets during this period are well worth experiencing. It’s hard to imagine any sunset more beautiful than the one in Svalbard. The landscape is coloured by red-yellow tones, a sure sign that the arrival of the Midnight Sun is approaching. From late April, you can enjoy daylight 24/7 with the Midnight Sun providing the perfect setting for new and exciting experiences.

Polar summer (17 May – 30 September)

The snow melts and the flowers appear on the tundra. The Midnight Sun makes its grand entrance leading to daylight around the clock. The summer in the Arctic is short and hectic, with a rich animal and bird life. The migratory birds return, and the mountainsides are filled with a teeming animal life.

Midnight Sun

The eternal sunshine, under the golden rays of the Midnight Sun, starts on 20 April. This natural phenomenon occurs above the Arctic Circle and illuminates the landscape around the clock. The Midnight Sun is the counterpart of the Polar Night and signifies that the sun is above the horizon 24/7. The Midnight Sun season in Longyearbyen extends from 20 April to 23 August.

Although the colourful landscape has its summer appearance, the temperature is anything but tropical. In July, which is considered the warmest month of the year, the average temperature is around 6 ˚C. This is an exciting season and an excellent time for families to visit Svalbard, as the temperature is slightly higher than earlier in the winter. The winter activities continue until the snow melts and the summer activities gradually take over.

Birdlife

A sure sign of spring is the arrival of the birds migrating north to nest. During summer, there is a teeming birdlife at sea and on land. Although they occur in large numbers, only about 30 species of migratory birds come to Svalbard annually. You can see bird species such as the Arctic puffin, which is also known as the sea parrot, the Arctic tern or the Northern fulmar gliding gracefully along the water surface. The mountainsides are decorated with tens of thousands of birds that sit closely together on small shelves buzzing with life and sound. The Svalbard rock ptarmigan is the only bird species that lives in Svalbard year-round.

Marine wildlife

Out in the deep blue fjords, you will encounter a raw and harsh nature. With its favourable climate and unique position, the Isfjord is a luxurious oasis for the wildlife in Svalbard. The nutritious sea stimulates rich production of plankton, which attracts marine mammals such as the walrus, ringed seal and humpback whale. If you travel here by boat, you may spot the graceful walrus or the “bandit-like” bearded seal in its natural habitat.

Autumn colours

The autumn arrives in Svalbard, marking the end of the Midnight Sun, on August 23. The evenings become darker, and it’s not long before the winter darkness takes over. The transition between summer and winter gives us incredibly spectacular sunsets. The tundra is wonderfully colourful and snow-capped mountains are not an uncommon sight. Let yourself be tempted by the golden explosion of colours and the fresh autumn air, as the bird population gradually reduces as migratory birds head south after the summer nesting season.

Northern Lights Winter (1 October – 28 February)

Can you imagine total darkness 24/7? The official period of darkness in Longyearbyen runs from 26 October to 16 February. This season is unique and evocative and for, many in the north, the most beautiful season Svalbard has to offer.

The Polar Night is the period that extends from mid-November to January. The sun is at least 6 degrees below the horizon and it’s just as dark during the day as at night. The distinctive darkness that spreads across the sky create a special atmosphere in town. Despite the darkness, it’s precisely this time of the year that you notice the starry sky and moonlight. On cold, clear days, it’s also possible for the Northern Lights to flare across the sky. In November, the average temperature is around -8.5 ˚C.

An unearthly experience

The Northern Lights are unique, and the atmosphere cannot be put into words. It simply must be experienced, not explained. It’s like a flying carpet rising from the horizon, in a myriad of shapes and changing movements, so beautiful that it takes your breath away. The colour is usually a green neon colour, but the spectrum of colours can range from ultraviolet to infrared. Given Svalbard’s location near the top of the northern hemisphere, the Northern Lights can also appear during the daytime.

Arctic silence

If you need a time-out before Christmas rush, the gem of the Arctic Polar Night is a great time to relax with memorable nature-based experiences. After all, we are the closest neighbour to the North Pole and Santa Claus. Here in Svalbard, you will undoubtedly find the Arctic silence and Christmas peace. In addition, you don’t have to travel far from civilisation and artificial light before a crystal-clear starry sky and the contours of the mountains emerge. The darkness certainly does not need to be an obstacle to embarking on new adventures.

The Blue Hour

In the first half of February, the darkness is broken as the sky is filled with pastel colours in tones of pink and blue. As the sun peeps above the horizon, it creates an hour a day of magical blue light. The darkness of the Polar Night is officially over and replaced by this unique natural phenomenon. During this two-week period, the landscape is bathed in blue light and comes alive.