Is the weather good in Svalbard and Jan Mayen in January 2025?
For the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in Svalbard and Jan Mayen during January have been around +12°F.
In Svalbard and Jan Mayen the temperature rarely varies more than seven degrees between the different parts with the highest temperature +12°F in Longyearbyen to +12°F in Longyearbyen. So you should be able to pack for similar conditions wherever you go in the country.
Temperature, wind and humidity in January
- rainiest? Longyearbyen, with an average of 0 mm of rain and humidity of 80%;
- warmest? Longyearbyen, with daytime temperatures averaging +12°F;
- windiest? Longyearbyen, with an average of 3 m/s;
- coolest? Longyearbyen, with daytime temperatures averaging +12°F;
How good is the weather in Svalbard and Jan Mayen in January?
How warm is it in Svalbard and Jan Mayen during January?
This is how hot it usually is in January
- Average maximum temperature for the month: +12°F;
- Average minimum temperature for the month: +3°F;
- Highest monthly temperature: +16°F;
- Lowest monthly temperature: 0°F;
Monthly temperatures:
- Warmest: July with an average +48°F during the day;
- Coldest: January with an average +12°F of the day;
- Hottest month in hottest city: July in Longyearbyen;
- Coldest month in coolest city: January in Longyearbyen;
Winds in Svalbard and Jan Mayen during January
January tends to offer light winds averaging 3 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.
Comparison between cities in January:
- Highest average wind speed: Longyearbyen with 3 m/s;
- Lowest average wind speed: Longyearbyen with 3 m/s;
- Windiest day of the month: Longyearbyen with 4 m/s;
- The least windy day of the month: Longyearbyen with 3 m/s;
Humidity and precipitation in Svalbard and Jan Mayen in January
Comparison between cities in January:
- Highest average rainfall: Longyearbyen with 4 mm;
- Lowest average rainfall: Longyearbyen with 4 mm;
- Most number of rainy days: Longyearbyen with 0 rainy days;
- Least number of rainy days: Longyearbyen with 0 rainy days;
- Highest risk of rain during the day: Longyearbyen with 0%;
- Least risk of rain during the day: Longyearbyen with 0%;
- Highest average humidity: Longyearbyen with 80%;
- Lowest average humidity: Longyearbyen with 80%;
Snow
Comparison between cities in January:
- Highest average snowfall: Longyearbyen with 36 mm;
- Lowest average snowfall: Longyearbyen with 36 mm;
- Most number of snowy days: Longyearbyen with 13 snowy days;
- Least number of snowy days: Longyearbyen with 13 snowy days;
- Highest chance of snow during the day: Longyearbyen with 42%;
- Least chance of snow during the day: Longyearbyen with 42%;
Tips for traveling to Svalbard and Jan Mayen in January
Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for Svalbard and Jan Mayen? 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 Svalbard and Jan Mayen based on the weather that January is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.
Pack right for January
- 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
What can you do outside when it's warm in Svalbard and Jan Mayen?
Is January a good time to visit Svalbard and Jan Mayen?
Monthly weather in Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Source of the data
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in Svalbard and Jan Mayen, 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.