Bergen is almost thousand years old city with pronounced northern maritime climate. Two main features of the climate of Bergen are mild transitions between seasons and excessive amount of precipitation.

The city and its neighborhood receive 2250 mm (88.5 inches) of precipitation per year which equals some equatorial and subequatorial territories. Winter is mild and snowy and summer is cool and rainy with prevailing overcast through whole year.

 

Seasons

 

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Bergen

Spring brings warmth and sun to Bergen in its local way. Averages are n positive range with up to 15 °С (59 °F) at day and 6 °С (42 °F) at night. However some layering will be useful. Occasional short and warm rains with their freshness are promoting hiking in nearby woods over Pudderfjord. There are numerous trails with scenery of exceptional beauty.

Average amount of precipitation for spring is between 80 and 140 mm (3-5.5 inches) so it won’t bother visitors of the city.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +5 °C (41 °F) Min average t°: 0 °C (32 °F) Water t°: +4.5 °C (40 °F) Sundial in the day: 5.5 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 40 mm (1.6")

April Max average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Min average t°: +2 °C (35 °F) Water t°: +5.5 °C (42 °F) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 50 mm (2.0")

May Max average t°: +13 °C (55 °F) Min average t°: +5.5 °C (42 °F) Water t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 102 mm (4.0")

Spring Holidays

First Half of March – Borealis festival of experimental music.

May 1 – Labor Day.
May 8 – Vet’s Day/Kvinnehistorisk Natt (Women’s Day).
May 17 – Grunnlovsdag (Constitution Day in Norway) in Bergen is celebrated with general Parade.

Second half of May – Nightjazz, Eggstock music competition.
Second half of May–June - Bergen International Festival. Massive cultural event dedicated to music and arts.

Summer in Bergen

Summer is the warmest season in Bergen. Air warms up to 18 °С (64 °F) during daytime and to 12 °С (54 °F) at night. Warm and humid winds bring overcast and significant precipitation with average amount of 120-170 mm (4.7-6.6 inches) per month. But at rainiest years up to 1700 mm (70 inches) falls through mere July.

There are only few weeks without rain in the city. Thus raincoat and umbrella are necessary equipment for visit. Even local merchandise represents rainy nature of Bergen. Numerous stores and stand offer vivid yellow raincoats, great variety of umbrellas and even canned rainwater.

 

Climate of the Summer Months

 

June Max average t°: +15 °C (60 °F) Min average t°: +8.5 °C (47 °F) Water t°: +12 °C (34 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 92 mm (3.6")

July Max average t°: +16.5 °C (62 °F) Min average t°: +10 °C (51 °F) Water t°: +14 °C (57 °F) Sundial in the day: 9.7 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 97.5 mm (3.8")

August Max average t°: +16.5 °C (62 °F) Min average t°: +10 °C (51 °F) Water t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 9.4 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 86 mm (3.4")

Summer Holidays

June – Market Day.
Middle of June – Bergenfest music festival.
June -August – MusicaNord
June 7 -Dissolution of union with Sweden (Unionsoppløsningen).
June 23 – St. Hans's Night (Jonsok).

July 4 – Queen Sonia's Birthday.
July 12-14 – Fjord’s Day (Fjordens Dag)
July 29 - St. Olaf’s Day.

Second half of August - Beyond the Gates metal music festival.
August - Bergen Matfestival (cuisine festival), Fjordsteam (once in three years).

Autumn in Bergen

Autumn brings gradual cooling from 14 °С (57 °F) to 7 °С (45 °F) and overcast to Bergen. There is only couple of sunny weeks through the season. Average precipitation per each month is 250 mm (10 inches). All in all autumn is the rainiest and windiest season.

Considering given information autumn is not the best time to visit the city. On the other hand this is opportunity to get familiar with real Bergen in its usual state with heavy clouds, rain and winds. In addition cozy narrow streets are somewhat even cozier when it rains outside.

 

Climate of the Autumn Months

 

September Max average t°: +13.5 °C (57 °F) Min average t°: +8.5 °C (47 °F) Water t°: +14 °C (57 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 77 mm (3.0")

October Max average t°: +10 °C (50 °F) Min average t°: +5.5 °C (42 °F) Water t°: +11.5 °C (53 °F) Sundial in the day: 5.5 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 55 mm (2.2")

November Max average t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Min average t+2 °C (36 °F) Water t°: +9.5 °C (49 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 63 mm (2.5")

Autumn Holidays

September – International Edvard Grieg Piano Competition, Raptus comics convention.

September 22 – Princess Marta Louise's Birthday.

November 11 – St. Martin’s Day (Mortensdag).

Winter in Bergen

Winter in the city is mild and snowy with daytime average temperature between 3 °С and 5 °С (37-41 °F). Even at night temperature stays above 0 °С (32 °F). Warmth transfers to the coasts from waters of warm current in North Sea. Temperature rage and humidity are causing frequent fogs, rime, soft hail and sleet. Long raincoats as well as layering are necessary to visit Bergen at winter. They will protect from precipitation and winds. In addition winter is the sunniest season in the city.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +4 °C (39 °F) Min average t°: 0 °C (32 °F) Water t°: +7.5 °C (46 °F) Sundial in the day: 3 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 81 mm (3.2")

January Max average t°: +3 °C (37 °F) Min average t°: -1 °C (30 °F) Water t°: +5.5 °C (42 °F) Sundial in the day: 2.5 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 81 mm (3.2")

February Max average t°: +3 °C (37 °F) Min average t°: -1 °C (30 °F) Water t°: +5 °C (41 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 43 mm (1.7")

Winter Holidays

December 24 – Christmas Eve.
December 25 – Christmas.
December 26 – St. Stephen’s Day.

Christmas celebrations – numerous fairs.
January 1 – New Year (Nyttår).

February – Shrovetide (Fastelavn).
February 21 - Birthday of King of Norway Harald V.