When to go · Kirkenes
Kirkenes in May
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Nov (dark, little snow, few tours); late Apr–May (slush, snow hotel closed) — check.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C) / −1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 10
- Crowds
- Medium
- Norway overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Norway overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Nov (dark, little snow, few tours); late Apr–May (slush, snow hotel closed) — check.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside Kirkenes's best window: Jun–Aug (midnight sun); Dec–Mar (snow hotel season, aurora) — check.
- JulyGreatInside Kirkenes's best window: Jun–Aug (midnight sun); Dec–Mar (snow hotel season, aurora) — check.
- AugustGreatInside Kirkenes's best window: Jun–Aug (midnight sun); Dec–Mar (snow hotel season, aurora) — check.
- DecemberGreatInside Kirkenes's best window: Jun–Aug (midnight sun); Dec–Mar (snow hotel season, aurora) — check.
Weather in May
- KirkenesHighs around 6 °C (43 °F), lows around -1 °C (30 °F), rain on about 10 daysHighs around 43 °F (6 °C), lows around 30 °F (-1 °C), rain on about 10 days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Constitution Day big impact
17 May · Norway
Children's parades, national costumes, everything closed; Whit Monday also falls on 17 May in 2027.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Norway overall
- Medium
- Prices · Norway overall
- Medium
Norway overall: Fruit blossom in Hardanger, 17 May celebrations; mountain roads still closed early in the month.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Kirkenes, side by side.
Verdict
May: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 6 °C (43 °F)43 °F (6 °C)
Jan: -7 °C (19 °F)19 °F (-7 °C)
Night low
May: -1 °C (30 °F)30 °F (-1 °C)
Jan: -16 °C (3 °F)3 °F (-16 °C)
Rain days
May: 10 (better)
Jan: 12
Crowds
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
May: Medium
Jan: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 1
Jan: 0
May: Listed as a month to avoid: Nov (dark, little snow, few tours); late Apr–May (slush, snow hotel closed) — check.
January: Inside Kirkenes's best window: Jun–Aug (midnight sun); Dec–Mar (snow hotel season, aurora) — check.
Kirkenes: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast