Svalbard Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Svalbard, Norway in December.

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Longyearbyen

Are you planning a trip a to Svalbard, Norway in December and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.

What to Expect in Svalbard in December

Svalbard, Norway is a region in Norway. December in Svalbard generally has very cold temperatures, with moderate precipitation.

Temperatures

You can expect very cold maximum daytime temperatures of around -8°C (18°F) and nighttime temperatures around -14°C (7°F) in Longyearbyen. In many regions in Norway, December is characterized by its biting cold temperatures. If you're venturing into these areas during this time, it's crucial to be adequately prepared. Ensure you layer up with warm clothing to fight off the chill and stay comfortable.

For a closer look at conditions across Svalbard, Norway, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

December is a moderate rainy month with an average snowfall of around 57 mm (2.2 in) in Longyearbyen.

Average sunshine

Sunshine is more restricted in many locations in December. Longyearbyen sees roughly 0 hours of sunlight. Our weather planner can help you find destinations with more sunshine if needed.

Explore Svalbard by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Svalbard — and find the best time to visit. (based on Longyearbyen)

January-10°C (14°F) February-10°C (14°F) March-11°C (12°F) April-8°C (18°F) May-1°C (30°F) June4°C (39°F) This monthJuly8°C (46°F) August7°C (45°F) September3°C (37°F) October-3°C (27°F) November-6°C (21°F) December-8°C (18°F)
Best Time to Visit Svalbard →

Best Places to Visit in Svalbard in December

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Svalbard.

Conditions Temperatures Precipitation
perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Svalbard

What is the weather like in December for the most popular destinonation in Svalbard, Norway?

Longyearbyen

In December Longyearbyen generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -8°C (18°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -14°C (7°F) and moderate monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
-6°C (21°F)
-8°C (18°F)
-10°C (14°F)
Min temperature
-11°C (12°F)
-14°C (7°F)
-16°C (3°F)
Monthly sun hours
0 hours
0 hours
0 hours
Monthly snowfall
59 mm (2.3 in)
57 mm (2.2 in)
55 mm (2.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
7 days
7 days
7 days
Weather conditions
poor
poor
poor
Climate in Longyearbyen →

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Svalbard, in Norway.

In our records: Norway December extremes

Notable December records observed across cities in Norway in our climate database (1976 – 2026). Historic readings can vary in quality, so treat these as illustrative.

  • In our records, the coldest December daytime high in Norway was -37°C (-35°F) in Røros on December 20, 1981.

Svalbard weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Svalbard, Norway in December?

Expect poor weather across Svalbard, Norway in December. The popular destination of Longyearbyen averages -8°C (18°F) by day and -14°C (7°F) at night during this month.

What is the average temperature in Svalbard, Norway in December?

Daytime temperatures in Longyearbyen peak at roughly -8°C (18°F) in December, dropping to about -14°C (7°F) overnight.

Does Svalbard, Norway get a lot of snow in December?

Rain is generally moderate to light in Svalbard, Norway during December, with Longyearbyen averaging close to 57 mm (2.2 in).

Is December a Good Time to Visit Svalbard, Norway?

In our view, December might not be the best time to travel to Svalbard, Norway with often poor weather in Longyearbyen.

On average, the best time to visit Svalbard, Norway is in with generally poor weather in Longyearbyen.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Svalbard.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Norway? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Norway.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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