Tromsø in May
Midnight sun begins
By Daan · Last reviewed October 2026
The short answer
May is one of the weakest months in Tromsø.
The midnight sun starts around May 18.
May in detail
What May actually feels like
- Weather
- 2–9°C
- Cool, around 9°C.
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Prices
- $$$
- Moderate rates.
+Endless light from late May.
–Melting snow.
My tip for May
Hikes are muddy and snowy until June.
- Midnight sun
- Quiet stays
How May compares
Against the other eleven months
11th of 12 overall in Tromsø, 8th for weather, 2nd for space, 2nd for value. The emptiest month is October; the best value is October.
See all twelve months for TromsøNot set on May?
Months I'd choose over May
Weather
Weather in Tromsø in May
In May Tromsø averages a high of 9°C (48°F) and a low of 2°C (36°F), with about 57 mm of rain or snow over 11 wet days. The warmest month is July (around 16°C) and the coolest is January (around -1°C); the wettest month is October.
- Average high
- 9°C
- 48°F
- Average low
- 2°C
- 36°F
- Precipitation
- 57 mm
- Wet days
- 11
Climate data: Met Norway (Tromsø, 1991–2020). Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows.
Quick answers
Tromsø in May: the questions people ask
- Is May a good time to visit Tromsø?
- May is one of the weakest months in Tromsø. It ranks 11 of 12 months in Tromsø overall (8 for weather, 2 for space, 2 for value). The main upside: Endless light from late May. The main downside: Melting snow.
- What is the weather like in Tromsø in May?
- Average highs are around 9°C and lows around 2°C. Expect about 57 mm of rain or snow over roughly 11 wet days. Cool, around 9°C. For comparison, the warmest month is July (around 16°C) and the coolest is January (around -1°C).
- Is Tromsø crowded in May?
- Crowds are moderate. Moderate. The quietest month is October.
- How expensive is Tromsø in May?
- Prices are at level 3 of 5 ($$$). Moderate rates. The best-value month is October.
- When is the best time to visit Tromsø?
- In the CrowdFreeViews month scores, March is the best month overall (May ranks 11 of 12). The quietest month is October and the best value is October.
Still going to Tromsø in May?
Book early and plan around the busiest hours — melting snow.
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