When to go · Kiruna
Kiruna in May
Good month. Outside the best window (Feb–Mar (auroras, snow), Jun–Aug (midnight sun, hiking)). Across Sweden: Light evenings, blossom, few crowds; archipelago boats move to summer timetables at month's end.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) / −1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 7
- Crowds
- Medium
- Sweden overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Sweden overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Feb–Mar (auroras, snow), Jun–Aug (midnight sun, hiking)). Across Sweden: Light evenings, blossom, few crowds; archipelago boats move to summer timetables at month's end.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated good. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside Kiruna's best window: Feb–Mar (auroras, snow), Jun–Aug (midnight sun, hiking).
- JulyGreatInside Kiruna's best window: Feb–Mar (auroras, snow), Jun–Aug (midnight sun, hiking).
- AugustGreatInside Kiruna's best window: Feb–Mar (auroras, snow), Jun–Aug (midnight sun, hiking).
- FebruaryGreatInside Kiruna's best window: Feb–Mar (auroras, snow), Jun–Aug (midnight sun, hiking).
Weather in May
- KirunaHighs around 9 °C (48 °F), lows around -1 °C (30 °F), rain on about 7 daysHighs around 48 °F (9 °C), lows around 30 °F (-1 °C), rain on about 7 days
- Swedish Lapland, Sweden · Kiruna, Abisko, Jokkmokk, Luleåcool
Midnight sun around Kiruna from late May to mid-July; polar night from mid-December to early January. Abisko sits in a rain shadow and has clearer skies than most aurora spots.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Sweden overall
- Medium
- Prices · Sweden overall
- Medium
Sweden overall: Light evenings, blossom, few crowds; archipelago boats move to summer timetables at month's end.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Kiruna, side by side.
Verdict
May: Good
Feb: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 9 °C (48 °F)48 °F (9 °C)
Feb: -9 °C (16 °F)16 °F (-9 °C)
Night low
May: -1 °C (30 °F)30 °F (-1 °C)
Feb: -19 °C (−2 °F)−2 °F (-19 °C)
Rain days
May: 7
Feb: 7
Crowds
May: Medium
Feb: Medium
Prices
May: Medium
Feb: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 0
Feb: 0
May: Outside the best window (Feb–Mar (auroras, snow), Jun–Aug (midnight sun, hiking)). Across Sweden: Light evenings, blossom, few crowds; archipelago boats move to summer timetables at month's end.
February: Inside Kiruna's best window: Feb–Mar (auroras, snow), Jun–Aug (midnight sun, hiking).
Kiruna: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket