Norway (Fjord Norway) · May
Best travel monthTravel seasonNorway · Europe
Climate Overview
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ø day, range from coolest to warmest dayØ dayrange | 5° (41°)-1– (30–)9 (48) | 5° (41°)0– (32–)9 (48) | 7° (45°)3– (37–)12 (54) | 11° (52°)5– (41–)18 (64) | 15° (59°)8– (46–)24 (75) | 18° (64°)12– (54–)26 (79) | 20° (68°)13– (55–)27 (81) | 19° (66°)14– (57–)25 (77) | 16° (61°)11– (52–)22 (72) | 12° (54°)6– (43–)18 (64) | 8° (46°)1– (34–)13 (55) | 6° (43°)-2– (28–)10 (50) |
Ø night, range from coldest to warmest nightØ nightrange | 1° (34°)-6– (21–)6 (43) | 1° (34°)-6– (21–)5 (41) | 2° (36°)-3– (27–)7 (45) | 4° (39°)-2– (28–)8 (46) | 8° (46°)1– (34–)13 (55) | 11° (52°)5– (41–)15 (59) | 13° (55°)8– (46–)17 (63) | 13° (55°)8– (46–)17 (63) | 10° (50°)4– (39–)15 (59) | 7° (45°)1– (34–)12 (54) | 4° (39°)-4– (25–)9 (48) | 2° (36°)-5– (23–)7 (45) |
☀️Sunshine | 1h UV 1 | 2h UV 1 | 4h UV 3 | 7h UV 5 | 7h UV 6 | 7h UV 6 | 6h UV 6 | 5h UV 5 | 3h UV 3 | 2h UV 2 | 1h UV 1 | 1h UV 0 |
🌊Water Temp | 7° (45°) | 6° (43°) | 6° (43°) | 7° (45°) | 9° (48°) | 11° (52°) | 14° (57°) | 16° (61°) | 15° (59°) | 13° (55°) | 10° (50°) | 9° (48°) |
🌧Rain Days | 17d264mm (10.4") | 15d245mm (9.6") | 14d179mm (7.0") | 10d124mm (4.9") | 10d100mm (3.9") | 10d125mm (4.9") | 14d155mm (6.1") | 15d230mm (9.0") | 16d252mm (9.9") | 17d307mm (12.1") | 16d274mm (10.8") | 18d300mm (11.8") |
Best travel time current monthØ = average · small figures = range: coolest–warmest day / coldest–warmest nightClimate data 2005–2025 · Source: ERA5 + station data
Travel season — mid-range prices, good availability.
May is one of the best months to visit Norway (Fjord Norway) — with 7 sunshine hours per day and pleasant highs of 15°C (59°F).
Daytime highs average 15°C (59°F), cooling to 8°C (46°F) at night (daily average: 11°C (52°F)). Peaks reach around 24°C (75°F), the coldest nights around 1°C (34°F). The sun shines an average of 7 hours per day; there are 10 rain days with 100 mm (3.9 in) total. At 9°C (48°F), the water is still quite cool in May — a wetsuit may be useful.
Layer up — warm days and cool evenings alternate. Perfect timing for hikes and sightseeing.
Snowmelt sends the waterfalls roaring, the orchards in Hardanger are in blossom and the days lengthen fast. With six to seven hours of sunshine a day this is the most dependable time for fjord trips; up on the mountain passes some roads may still carry snow.
Events & Festivals
- Constitution Day (17 May) in Bergen17 May
Norway's national day starts in Bergen with a gun salute at 7 am, followed by parades through the city centre. Unique to Bergen are the buekorps – drumming boys' brigades, a 19th-century tradition that has survived only here.
Packing list for Norway (Fjord Norway) in May
- Warm jacket
- Jumpers and warm layers
- Long trousers
- Warm shoes
- SPF 50 sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Sun hat
- Light umbrella or rain poncho
- Travel first-aid kit
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is May a good time to visit Norway (Fjord Norway)?
- Yes — May is one of the best months to visit Norway (Fjord Norway) (Climate Score: 66/100). Pleasant temperatures (15°C (59°F)), good sunshine (7 h/day), and few rain days (10) make it one of the most recommended months.
- How warm is it in Norway (Fjord Norway) in May?
- In May, Norway (Fjord Norway) sees daily highs of 15°C (59°F). Nights cool to 8°C (46°F), with a daily average of 11°C (52°F). Peaks reach around 24°C (75°F), the coldest nights around 1°C (34°F).
- How much rain falls in Norway (Fjord Norway) in May?
- In May, Norway (Fjord Norway) receives an average of 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain over 10 rain days. An umbrella may occasionally be needed.
- How many sunshine hours does Norway (Fjord Norway) get in May?
- Norway (Fjord Norway) averages 7 sunshine hours per day in May — above the annual average.
- How warm is the water in Norway (Fjord Norway) in May?
- Water temperature in Norway (Fjord Norway) in May averages 9°C (48°F) — still quite cool — a wetsuit may be useful.
