Late spring · Weather & things to do
Tromsø in May
Tromsø warms up: highs climb to 47°F (9°C), from 37°F in April, with lows of 37°F (3°C) and about 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 49/100, 5th of 12.
- Avg high
- 47°F (9°C)
- Avg low
- 37°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 3.7 in (95 mm)
- Humidity
- 85%
- Cloud cover
- 80%
- Daylight
- ~20 h 52 min
- Comfort score
- 49/100 · Fair
What May feels like
It's cool, with highs near 47°F (9°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Nights cool to an average low of 37°F (3°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 3.7 in (95 mm).
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 80%.
Long days help: there are roughly 20 h 52 min of daylight mid-month.
Plan around May
May sits mid-table; the best months are July & August.
- The year's biggest warm-up: highs jump 6°C (11°F) from April.
- Comfort improves from 37/100 in April to 49/100.
- Our Lofoten & Tromsø route recommends Late Nov – Mar, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- Insulated jackethighs only 47°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Tromsø in May
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Polar Museum
Museum in an 1830s customs warehouse on the harbour covering trapping, sealing and Amundsen and Nansen's expeditions.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 47°F.
Arctic Cathedral
Tromsdalen's 1965 triangular church, lit from within at night, with a huge glass mosaic on its east wall.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Fjellheisen
Cable car up to Storsteinen, 421 m above sea level, for the view over the island city and the bridge.
Ølhallen
Tromsø's oldest pub, opened in 1928 at the Mack brewery, pouring dozens of taps beside a stuffed polar bear.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 47°F.
Fiskekompaniet
Harbourside seafood restaurant serving Arctic cod, king crab and seasonal skrei.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Nearby in May
- Svolvær in May~146 mi · highs 46°F, 2.8 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
- Reine in May~189 mi · highs 45°F, 2.2 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, drier
- Saariselkä in May~226 mi · highs 45°F, 3.1 in rain · 2°C (3°F) cooler by day, drier
- Rovaniemi in May~279 mi · highs 52°F, 2.8 in rain · 3°C (5°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~231 m to Tromsø's ~18 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Tromsø in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Tromsø?
It's middling, scoring 49/100. The best months are July & August, at up to 73. Expect highs of 47°F (9°C) and 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain. Our Lofoten & Tromsø route recommends Late Nov – Mar, so May is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Tromsø in May?
Average highs are 47°F (9°C) and average lows 37°F (3°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Tromsø in May?
Some: about 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 53.0 in (1347 mm).
What should I pack for Tromsø in May?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 47°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Tromsø in May?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.