For the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in Norway during May have been around +50°F.
The weather differs across the Norway in May. You may encounter maximum temperatures of +50°F at noon in Oslo and +43°F in Leknes. So plan your activities, and packing, based on the individual locations rather than the country as a whole.
Temperature, wind and humidity in May
Average
Bergen
Harstad
Kirkenes
Leknes
Mo i Rana
Narvik
Oslo
Stavanger
Svolvær
Tromso
Trondheim
Haugesund
Roros
Alesund
Bodo
☀️
+50°F
Avg. max. temperature
+10°F
Min.
+86°F
Max.
82 mm
Total precipitation
73%
Avg. humidity
3 m/s
Avg. wind
4 ☀️
Sunny Days
8 ⛅️
Cloudy
17 🌦
Rainy
Our opinion: Norway has OK weather in May.
Norway in May – what city is the…
rainiest? Bergen, with an average of 4 mm of rain and humidity of 71%;
warmest? Oslo, with daytime temperatures averaging +61°F;
windiest? Leknes, with an average of 5 m/s;
coolest? Leknes, with daytime temperatures averaging +43°F;
How good is the weather in Norway in May?
During May, the Norway is characterized by variable weather with air pressure around 1009 HPa and therefore elements of sun, rain, and wind – with a little extra emphasis on the latter two. The humidity in May ranges between 64% in Oslo and 81% in Leknes.
Variable weather with sun, rain and wind: +52°F in average daily temperature.
This is how hot it usually is in May
The average daily temperatures above don't tell you everything about how hot it can be in Norway. For example, cold nights can make a big difference for those staying in tents or unheated houses. Extra hot days, on the other hand, can make a big difference for those who plan to engage in demanding physical training or competition. So here are some more temperatures for May:
Average
Bergen
Harstad
Kirkenes
Leknes
Mo i Rana
Narvik
Oslo
Stavanger
Svolvær
Tromso
Trondheim
Haugesund
Roros
Alesund
Bodo
Average maximum temperature for the month: +52°F;
Average minimum temperature for the month: +41°F;
Highest monthly temperature: +55°F;
Lowest monthly temperature: +37°F;
Monthly temperatures:
Average
Bergen
Harstad
Kirkenes
Leknes
Mo i Rana
Narvik
Oslo
Stavanger
Svolvær
Tromso
Trondheim
Haugesund
Roros
Alesund
Bodo
Warmest: July with an average +63°F during the day;
Coldest: January with an average +32°F of the day;
Hottest month in hottest city: July in Oslo;
Coldest month in coolest city: January in Kirkenes;
Winds in Norway during May
Wind speed in Norway in May based on historical data:
Average
Bergen
Harstad
Kirkenes
Leknes
Mo i Rana
Narvik
Oslo
Stavanger
Svolvær
Tromso
Trondheim
Haugesund
Roros
Alesund
Bodo
May tends to offer light winds averaging 3 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.
Comparison between cities in May:
Highest average wind speed: Leknes with 6 m/s;
Lowest average wind speed: Mo i Rana with 1 m/s;
Windiest day of the month: Leknes with 6 m/s;
The least windy day of the month: Mo i Rana with 1 m/s;
Humidity and precipitation in Norway in May
Amount of rainfall in mm during May in Norway based on historical data:
Average
Bergen
Harstad
Kirkenes
Leknes
Mo i Rana
Narvik
Oslo
Stavanger
Svolvær
Tromso
Trondheim
Haugesund
Roros
Alesund
Bodo
May tends to be an extremely humid month with 78% humidity and 99 mm rainfall. In general the humidity tends to be a little lower in mountainous regions and more humid closer to water.
Comparison between cities in May:
Average
Bergen
Harstad
Kirkenes
Leknes
Mo i Rana
Narvik
Oslo
Stavanger
Svolvær
Tromso
Trondheim
Haugesund
Roros
Alesund
Bodo
Highest average rainfall: Bergen with 118 mm;
Lowest average rainfall: Kirkenes with 36 mm;
Most number of rainy days: Trondheim with 20 rainy days;
Least number of rainy days: Kirkenes with 13 rainy days;
Highest risk of rain during the day: Trondheim with 65%;
Least risk of rain during the day: Kirkenes with 42%;
Highest average humidity: Leknes with 81%;
Lowest average humidity: Oslo with 64%;
Tips for traveling to Norway in May
Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for Norway? Activities, weather, and clothing are closely linked. In addition, it's important to pack only what you really need so you don't have to worry about heavy packing or paying extra baggage fees.
Here is some advice on what to pack and what kind of activities you can do in the Norway based on the weather that May is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.
rainy, chill weather with light winds and very high humidity in May
Pack right for May
The weather makes a difference when it comes to packing - especially which items should go in your suitcase. The tips below are designed to help you pack light and right without carrying more than necessary.
For light showers, an umbrella or a thin and light rain cape is usually sufficient, while more rain may require rainwear and rain boots.
When it’s cold you need warm clothes such as a hat, gloves and scarf. If you plan on varied activities it might be a good idea to pack flexible clothing and wear multiple layers, as you can then easily adapt and regulate the temperature. For example you may want to wear cotton closest to the body, covered by a waterproof layer of wool or synthetics and then some warm layer of for example wool, fleece or down.
Light winds are probably most comfortable in hot weather but is cooling in cool and cold weather. If it is hot (when the air temperature is about 30 degrees), the wind can have a warming effect. A thin, windproof jacket and long trousers help to counteract these effects.
High humidity means that the air conducts heat to and from the skin more easily. For example, if the air is hot (above skin temperature), it will be harder to stay cool. On the other hand, if the air is cool or cold, it is more difficult to stay warm. In high humidity, the choice of clothing makes less of a difference. However, your physical activity plays a bigger role.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Norway in May:
What can you do outside when it's warm in Norway?
Bathing and sunbathing can be suitable. Warm (but not hot) days are also good for activities that are not so physically demanding: sightseeing on foot, by boat, on a scooter, camel riding. You can also exercise easily as long as you make sure to cool down and quench thirst.
Is May a good time to visit Norway?
It’s always a good time to visit Norway, but the weather is changeable in May, so plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities and exploring, and pack for every eventuality.
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in Norway, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2023.
For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.