When to go · Tromsø
Tromsø in May
Good month. Outside the best window (Sep–Mar for auroras; Jun–Jul for midnight sun; Feb–Mar for whales and snow). Across Norway: Fruit blossom in Hardanger, 17 May celebrations; mountain roads still closed early in the month.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) / 2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 8
- Crowds
- Medium
- Norway overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Norway overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Sep–Mar for auroras; Jun–Jul for midnight sun; Feb–Mar for whales and snow). Across Norway: Fruit blossom in Hardanger, 17 May celebrations; mountain roads still closed early in the month.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated good. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside Tromsø's best window: Sep–Mar for auroras; Jun–Jul for midnight sun; Feb–Mar for whales and snow.
- JulyGreatInside Tromsø's best window: Sep–Mar for auroras; Jun–Jul for midnight sun; Feb–Mar for whales and snow.
- SeptemberGreatInside Tromsø's best window: Sep–Mar for auroras; Jun–Jul for midnight sun; Feb–Mar for whales and snow.
- OctoberGreatInside Tromsø's best window: Sep–Mar for auroras; Jun–Jul for midnight sun; Feb–Mar for whales and snow.
Weather in May
- TromsøHighs around 9 °C (48 °F), lows around 2 °C (36 °F), rain on about 8 daysHighs around 48 °F (9 °C), lows around 36 °F (2 °C), rain on about 8 days
- Arctic north, Norway · Tromsø, Lofoten, Senja, Alta, North Capecool
Warmer than its latitude thanks to the Gulf Stream. Polar night in Tromsø about 27 Nov – 15 Jan, midnight sun about 20 May – 22 July; North Cape about 14 May – 29 July. Aurora season September–March.
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 Tromsø, side by side.
Verdict
May: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 9 °C (48 °F)48 °F (9 °C)
Jan: -1 °C (30 °F)30 °F (-1 °C)
Night low
May: 2 °C (36 °F)36 °F (2 °C)
Jan: -5 °C (23 °F)23 °F (-5 °C)
Rain days
May: 8 (better)
Jan: 10
Crowds
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
May: Medium
Jan: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 1
Jan: 0
May: Outside the best window (Sep–Mar for auroras; Jun–Jul for midnight sun; Feb–Mar for whales and snow). Across Norway: Fruit blossom in Hardanger, 17 May celebrations; mountain roads still closed early in the month.
January: Inside Tromsø's best window: Sep–Mar for auroras; Jun–Jul for midnight sun; Feb–Mar for whales and snow.
Tromsø: 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