Bergen features a temperate oceanic climate with mild, rainy winters and cool, often wet summers. Known as the “City of Rain,” Bergen experiences frequent precipitation year-round, but also benefits from the moderating influence of the Atlantic, which keeps temperatures above freezing in winter and pleasantly mild in summer. Dramatic seasonal daylight shifts and lush landscapes define the city’s climate.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Bergen’s climate is shaped by its Atlantic coastal location and surrounding mountains, resulting in abundant rainfall, mild winters, and cool summers. Winters (December–February) are generally cold, cloudy, and damp, with average temperatures ranging from 0°C to 5°C. Snow does fall, but it’s often short-lived and quickly melts in the city centre, while the surrounding hills may retain snow longer. The mildest winter days can reach 8–10°C, but cold snaps may see temperatures drop to –8°C or lower. Daylight is limited in winter, with less than 7 hours on the shortest days, and sunshine is scarce.
Summers (June–August) are cool and relatively mild, with average highs of 17–20°C and lows around 12°C. Warm spells can occasionally push temperatures above 25°C, but such days are rare. Rain remains a constant possibility, even in summer, with frequent light showers interspersed with pleasant, sunny intervals. The city enjoys long daylight hours in summer, with the sun setting as late as 10:30 PM in June, but Bergen is often cloudy and receives only about 1,100–1,600 hours of sunshine annually. The sea temperature peaks at 15°C in August, making swimming brisk but possible for the hardy.
Rainfall is Bergen’s defining feature, with an annual average of 2,400–2,500 mm and precipitation on over 200 days a year. The wettest period is autumn and early winter (September–January), while May is typically the driest month. Winds are moderate but can be brisk during storms, especially in autumn and winter. The city’s lush greenery and vibrant fjords owe much to this wet climate, and visitors should always be prepared for changing weather conditions, regardless of season.
| Average climate data for Bergen, Norway | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 3 | 3 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 4 | 16 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 1 | -0 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 11 | 8 | 5 | 2 | -0 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 152 | 119 | 134 | 73 | 82 | 79 | 100 | 136 | 180 | 202 | 139 | 195 | 1,592 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 17 | 15 | 19 | 16 | 17 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 22 | 21 | 19 | 22 | 227 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 127 | 105 | 57 | 23 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 29 | 109 | 474 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 9 | 8 | 7 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 7 | 36 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 78 | 80 | 80 | 77 | 75 | 76 | 81 | 78 | 78 | 75 | 75 | 79 | 78 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 21 | 19 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 17 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 10 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 6 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 65 | 64 | 63 | 49 | 48 | 47 | 50 | 51 | 58 | 56 | 60 | 66 | 57 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Bergen is from late May to early September, when temperatures are mild (15–20°C), daylight is longest, and the city is vibrant with festivals and outdoor activities. While rain is possible year-round, summer offers the most comfortable weather for hiking, fjord cruises, and enjoying Bergen’s scenic beauty.
The least favourable time to visit is from October to January, when rainfall is at its highest, days are shortest, and storms are more frequent. While winter has a cosy charm and festive markets, outdoor activities can be limited by persistent rain, dampness, and occasional chilly winds.
Bergen has a temperate oceanic climate with mild, rainy winters and cool, wet summers. The city is famous for frequent precipitation, lush greenery, and dramatic seasonal daylight shifts.
Bergen receives 2,400–2,500 mm of rain annually and experiences precipitation on more than 200 days each year. Rain can occur in any season, but autumn and early winter are the wettest periods.
Snow falls occasionally in winter but is usually brief and melts quickly in the city centre. The surrounding mountains may retain snow longer, making winter sports accessible nearby.
May and June are typically the sunniest months, with up to 6–7 hours of sunshine per day. However, Bergen is often cloudy year-round, so sunny days are a special treat.
Always pack waterproof clothing, a rain jacket, and water-resistant shoes. Dress in layers to adapt to changing temperatures, and bring warm clothing for evenings and winter visits.
The sea near Bergen is cold year-round, with temperatures peaking at 15°C in August. Swimming is possible but best for those accustomed to chilly water.
Extreme temperatures are rare in Bergen. Winters are usually mild for Norway, rarely dropping below –8°C, while summer heatwaves above 25°C are uncommon but possible.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (16 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (2.7 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 9.1 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (12.7 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (-0.1 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 6.1 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (15.8 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (4.9 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 10 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is October (202.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is April (73 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,592.2 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is September (22.4 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (14.8 days). Over the whole year there are 226.7 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (126.8 mm). The months with the least snowfall are June, July, August and September (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 474.1 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (8.6 days). The month with the fewest days of snowfall is June (0 days). Over the whole year there are 36.2 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is July (81 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is November (75 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 77.8 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (21.2 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (13.7 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 16.8 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is December (66.3 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is June (47.1 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 56.5 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 18.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 5.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 9.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 2 h). Over the whole year there are 5.6 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July and August (UV index: 4). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, March, October, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.8.
