Mid-autumn · Weather & things to do
Tromsø in October
Tromsø cools off: highs slip to 40°F (4°C), from 52°F in September, with lows of 33°F (0°C) and about 4.8 in (122 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 33/100, 9th of 12.
- Avg high
- 40°F (4°C)
- Avg low
- 33°F (0°C)
- Rain
- 4.8 in (122 mm)
- Humidity
- 95%
- Cloud cover
- 83%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 23 min
- Comfort score
- 33/100 · Tough
What October feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 40°F (4°C).
Lows average 33°F (0°C).
Rain is a real factor, with about 4.8 in (122 mm) across the month.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 83%.
Only about 8 h 23 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around October
October sits mid-table; the best months are July & August.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, September – November.
- The year's biggest cool-down: highs drop 7°C (12°F) from September.
- Comfort slips from 50/100 in September to 33/100.
- Our Lofoten & Tromsø route recommends Late Nov – Mar, so October falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for October
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 33°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes4.8 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Tromsø in October
With 4.8 in of rain, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Arctic Cathedral
Tromsdalen's 1965 triangular church, lit from within at night, with a huge glass mosaic on its east wall.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop when highs sit around 40°F.
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 40°F.
Fjellheisen
Cable car up to Storsteinen, 421 m above sea level, for the view over the island city and the bridge.
Fiskekompaniet
Harbourside seafood restaurant serving Arctic cod, king crab and seasonal skrei.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Polar Museum
Museum in an 1830s customs warehouse on the harbour covering trapping, sealing and Amundsen and Nansen's expeditions.
Why now A way to spend part of a cold day out of the wind.
Nearby in October
- Svolvær in October~146 mi · highs 46°F, 5.3 in rain · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Reine in October~189 mi · highs 47°F, 4.4 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Saariselkä in October~226 mi · highs 33°F, 2.4 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) cooler by day, drier
- Rovaniemi in October~279 mi · highs 38°F, 2.6 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler 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 October: quick answers
Is October a good time to visit Tromsø?
It's middling, scoring 33/100. The best months are July & August, at up to 73. Expect highs of 40°F (4°C) and 4.8 in (122 mm) of rain. Our Lofoten & Tromsø route recommends Late Nov – Mar, so October is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Tromsø in October?
Average highs are 40°F (4°C) and average lows 33°F (0°C), making it the 6th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Tromsø in October?
Yes: about 4.8 in (122 mm) of rain falls across October on average, the 3rd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 53.0 in (1347 mm).
What should I pack for Tromsø in October?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 33°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (4.8 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Tromsø in October?
Share this October plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.