Winter
Dec → Feb-3 to -2°
nights -8 to -6°
- 17 rainy days · 83 mm
- sea 5°
When is the best time to visit the North Cape?
- Jan-3°not recommended
- Feb-3°not recommended
- Mar-3°not recommended
- Apr0°not recommended
- May4°fair
- Jun8°recommended
- Jul12°recommended
- Aug12°recommended
- Sep8°fair
- Oct3°not recommended
- Nov0°not recommended
- Dec-2°not recommended
RecommendedFairNot recommended· afternoon temperature
The weather in the North Cape, month by month
The table of records, month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainfall | Rainy days | Sea | Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -3° | -8° | 84 mm | 18 d | 5° | |
| February | -3° | -7° | 79 mm | 16 d | 5° | |
| March | -3° | -6° | 90 mm | 21 d | 4° | |
| April | 0° | -3° | 65 mm | 16 d | 4° | |
| May | 4° | 0° | 77 mm | 17 d | 5° | |
| June | 8° | 4° | 79 mm | 15 d | 7° | ✓ |
| July | 12° | 8° | 65 mm | 13 d | 10° | ✓ |
| August | 12° | 8° | 81 mm | 14 d | 11° | ✓ |
| September | 8° | 5° | 77 mm | 16 d | 11° | |
| October | 3° | 0° | 89 mm | 18 d | 9° | |
| November | 0° | -3° | 85 mm | 17 d | 7° | |
| December | -2° | -6° | 85 mm | 18 d | 6° |
The four seasons in the North Cape, in figures
What the 2015-2024 records (North Cape plateau) show, season by season, to compare at a glance instead of reading twelve rows of a table.
Spring
Mar → May-3 to 4°
nights -6 to 0°
- 18 rainy days · 77 mm
- sea 4°
Summer
Jun → Aug8 to 12°
nights 4 to 8°
- 14 rainy days · 75 mm
- sea 9°
Autumn
Sep → Nov0 to 8°
nights -3 to 5°
- 17 rainy days · 84 mm
- sea 9°
Book early for June to August
The timing is right, so it is right for everyone: in these months the best places to stay and the small-group tours go first. Here is where to start.
Some links are affiliate links: we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. The selection does not depend on these links.
Daylight in the North Cape, month by month
The time between sunrise and sunset, from shortest to longest. Not to be confused with the sunshine hours in the table above, which count clear skies. In May there are 24h of daylight, in January 0h, a difference of 24h. Polar night sets in around January: the sun no longer rises. In May the sun does not set.
0hJan
6h38Feb
11h14Mar
16h17Apr
24hMay
24hJun
24hJul
18h40Aug
13h13Sep
8h26Oct
1h52Nov
0hDec
Calculated for the latitude of the reference point "North Cape plateau" (71.17°). Values on the 15th of each month, local solar time.
What to do in the North Cape, month by month
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hiking | ||||||||||||
| Beach & swimming | ||||||||||||
| Towns & culture | ||||||||||||
| Long days | ||||||||||||
| Events | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
EventsMidnight sunMay to JulyNorthern lightsSeptember to MarchPolar nightNovember to JanuaryDetails ↓
favourablewith compromisesunfavourable
- Long days: April, May, June, July, August
Grid derived from the records (temperature, rainfall, sea), not from an opinion.
What's on in the North Cape, month by month?
What comes back every year, and when. One of these events fills the hotels and pushes prices up: something to aim for or to avoid, depending on what you want.
- May to JulyMidnight sun big crowds
From mid-May to late July, the sun no longer dips below the horizon and the cape plateau stays lit all night.
- September to MarchNorthern lights
As soon as the nights return and the sky clears, the aurora can be seen from the road to the cape, from September to March.
- November to JanuaryPolar night
From late November to mid-January, the sun no longer rises: a few hours of blue light a day, then darkness.
Travelling off-peak
Month by month, in detail
January
Not recommended-3°-8° at night
- 84 mm · 18 d
- sea 5°
Low season, lower prices
February
Not recommended-3°-7° at night
- 79 mm · 16 d
- sea 5°
Low season, lower prices
March
Not recommended-3°-6° at night
- 90 mm · 21 d
- sea 4°
Low season, lower prices
April
Not recommended0°-3° at night
- 65 mm · 16 d
- sea 4°
Low season, lower prices
May
Fair4°0° at night
- 77 mm · 17 d
- sea 5°
Busy, without the crush
June
Recommended8°4° at night
- 79 mm · 15 d
- sea 7°
High season, book early
July
Recommended12°8° at night
- 65 mm · 13 d
- sea 10°
High season, book early
August
Recommended12°8° at night
- 81 mm · 14 d
- sea 11°
High season, book early
September
Fair8°5° at night
- 77 mm · 16 d
- sea 11°
Low season, lower prices
October
Not recommended3°0° at night
- 89 mm · 18 d
- sea 9°
Low season, lower prices
November
Not recommended0°-3° at night
- 85 mm · 17 d
- sea 7°
Low season, lower prices
December
Not recommended-2°-6° at night
- 85 mm · 18 d
- sea 6°
Quiet, then the holidays
Read the twelve months in detail
January. Deep winter: -3 °C at the warmest of the day, -8 °C at night. A very wet month, 84 mm of rain over 18 days. Sea at 5 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
February. Deep winter: -3 °C at the warmest of the day, -7 °C at night. A very wet month, 79 mm of rain over 16 days. Sea at 5 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
March. Deep winter: -3 °C at the warmest of the day, -6 °C at night. A very wet month, 90 mm of rain over 21 days. Sea at 4 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
April. Deep winter: 0 °C at the warmest of the day, -3 °C at night. A very wet month, 65 mm of rain over 16 days. Sea at 4 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
May. Deep winter: 4 °C at the warmest of the day, 0 °C at night. Frequent but light showers: 77 mm over 17 days. Sea at 5 °C, too cold to swim. Busy season, without the crush.
June. Cool: 8 °C at best, 4 °C at night. Frequent rain: 79 mm over 15 days. Sea at 7 °C, too cold to swim. High season: book early.
July. Cool: 12 °C at best, 8 °C at night. Expect 13 days of rain in the month (65 mm). Sea at 10 °C, too cold to swim. High season: book early.
August. Cool: 12 °C at best, 8 °C at night. Frequent rain: 81 mm over 14 days. Sea at 11 °C, too cold to swim. High season: book early.
September. Cool: 8 °C at best, 5 °C at night. Frequent but light showers: 77 mm over 16 days. Sea at 11 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
October. Deep winter: 3 °C at the warmest of the day, 0 °C at night. A very wet month, 89 mm of rain over 18 days. Sea at 9 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
November. Deep winter: 0 °C at the warmest of the day, -3 °C at night. A very wet month, 85 mm of rain over 17 days. Sea at 7 °C, too cold to swim. Low season: fewer people, lower prices.
December. Deep winter: -2 °C at the warmest of the day, -6 °C at night. A very wet month, 85 mm of rain over 18 days. Sea at 6 °C, too cold to swim. Quiet at the start of the month, then busier as the holidays approach.
Same season, other ideas
Their best time overlaps with this one: worth comparing before you book.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit the North Cape?
June to August: over these months, recorded highs range from 8 to 12 °C, with 14 days of rain a month on average (2015-2024 records, North Cape plateau).
Which month should you avoid in the North Cape?
March: it is the wettest of the months to avoid, with 90 mm over 21 days of rain on average, according to 2015-2024 records at the reference point (North Cape plateau).
What is the hottest month in the North Cape?
July, with 12 °C on average in the afternoon and 8 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (North Cape plateau).
What is the coldest month in the North Cape?
January, with -3 °C at best during the day and -8 °C at night. 2015-2024 records (North Cape plateau).
What is the driest month in the North Cape?
April: 65 mm over 16 days of rain, against 90 mm in March, the wettest month.
When can you swim in the North Cape?
The water stays cool all year (warmest 11 °C in August, measured in 2023-2024 on the nearest coast, North Cape plateau): swimming is for the brave.
Plan this trip
📒 The free printable North Cape guide: itinerary, map, where to sleep→
🧭 When to visit Norway: the country overview→
🗓️ Best time to visit: all our destinations→
Compare with other destinations
Photos: Deimantas Viburys / Pexels · Regimantas Danys / Pexels · Arlind D / Pexels · Sofiia Asmi / Pexels · Oliver Schröder / Pexels · Raul Ling / Pexels