Stavanger has a temperate oceanic climate, with cool, rainy winters and mild, often cloudy summers. Summer highs reach 15–18°C, while winter lows hover just above freezing. Rain falls year-round, but spring and early summer are driest. Long daylight hours in summer and frequent rain make Stavanger lush and green, but weather can change quickly.
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.
Stavanger’s climate is shaped by its coastal location in southwest Norway, bringing mild winters and cool, damp summers. Winters (December–February) are relatively mild for Norway, with average highs of 4–5°C and lows near 0°C. Snow is infrequent and usually light, but rain is common, especially from October to January, when monthly precipitation can reach 130–150 mm. Days are short and often cloudy, with just 1–3 hours of sunshine daily, but the city rarely experiences severe cold.
Summers (June–August) are cool and pleasant, with average highs of 15–18°C and lows around 11–13°C. July and August are the warmest months. Rain is still possible, but May to July are the sunniest and driest months, with up to 7.5 hours of sunshine per day and daylight lasting well into the night – white nights occur from mid-May to late July. Spring (April–May) and early autumn (September) are also good times to visit, with mild temperatures and fewer crowds. Winds are moderate year-round, and the North Sea keeps humidity high. Stavanger receives about 1,310 mm of rain annually and around 1,540 hours of sunshine. The sea temperature peaks at 16°C in August, making swimming possible but brisk.
| Average climate data for Stavanger, Norway | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 4 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 16 | 15 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 16 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 100 | 85 | 81 | 44 | 52 | 43 | 67 | 89 | 101 | 126 | 87 | 131 | 1,005 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 16 | 15 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 17 | 20 | 19 | 21 | 20 | 21 | 210 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 23 | 28 | 30 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 29 | 115 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 5 | 4 | 4 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 18 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 78 | 78 | 81 | 76 | 76 | 79 | 82 | 79 | 80 | 75 | 75 | 78 | 78 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 27 | 24 | 21 | 18 | 18 | 17 | 17 | 18 | 21 | 23 | 23 | 27 | 21 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 6 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 10 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 7 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 59 | 59 | 60 | 46 | 45 | 46 | 48 | 48 | 52 | 53 | 58 | 64 | 53 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Stavanger is from May to August, when temperatures are mildest (13–18°C), days are long, and the city is lively with festivals and outdoor events. Spring and early summer are the sunniest and driest, perfect for hiking, sightseeing, and enjoying the city’s lush parks and coastal scenery.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to February. These months are the wettest and darkest, with highs around 4–5°C, frequent rain, short daylight hours, and occasional wind. While Stavanger is quieter and cosy, outdoor sightseeing can be less appealing due to damp, chilly weather.
Stavanger has cool, rainy winters (highs 4–5°C) and mild, often cloudy summers (highs 15–18°C). Rain falls year-round, with October to January being the wettest. Spring and early summer are the sunniest and driest.
Snow is rare in Stavanger. Winters are mild, with temperatures just above freezing. When snow does fall, it’s usually light and melts quickly, with rain being much more common.
May to July are the sunniest months, with up to 7.5 hours of sunshine per day and long daylight hours—white nights occur from mid-May to late July. Even in summer, clouds and rain are possible.
Stavanger receives about 1,310 mm of rain annually, with rain possible in any month. October to January are the wettest months, while April and May are usually the driest.
Pack layers, a rain jacket or umbrella, and comfortable waterproof shoes. Even in summer, evenings can be cool, and rain is frequent. A warm coat is recommended for winter visits.
Stavanger is moderately windy year-round, especially in autumn and winter. Winds from the North Sea can make temperatures feel colder, so dress accordingly.
Stavanger is least crowded in winter (November–February) and early spring. These periods offer quieter streets and attractions, but weather may be wetter and less suitable for outdoor sightseeing.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (16.2 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is February (3.8 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 9.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (14 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (1.7 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 7.3 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (16.7 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (4.7 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 10.2 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is December (130.7 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is June (42.7 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,005.5 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is December (21.5 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is June (13.3 days). Over the whole year there are 210.3 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is March (30 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 114.7 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (4.7 days). The month with the fewest days of snowfall is July (0 days). Over the whole year there are 17.9 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is July (81.6 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is October (74.8 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 78.1 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is January (27.5 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (17.3 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 21.2 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is December (63.9 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is May (44.7 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 53.1 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 18 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 6 h). Over the whole year there are 12 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 10.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 1.9 h). Over the whole year there are 6.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are May, June, July and August (UV index: 4). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, March, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.9.
