AI-generatedAlta at a glance
- Best time
- Jul
- Warmest month
- Jul · 17°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 10.6°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,270 h
- Rain a year
- 637 mm
- Climate
- Subarctic
- Time zone
- UTC+1 / UTC+2
- Elevation
- 65 m
Climate in Alta
Alta has a subarctic climate: summers are short and cool, winters long and cold. July is the warmest month with average highs of 17 °C, while February is the coolest at −4 °C. With around 1,270 hours of sunshine a year, Alta is rather dull; June is the sunniest month with 7.3 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Alta
The best time to visit Alta is in July. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in August it only reaches 10.6 °C. Rain is frequent from April to June and from August to October; the wettest month is July with 77 mm.
Alta through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Alta in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- −1–9 °C by day
- Sea 3 °C
- 5.5 h of sun a day
- 38 rainy days in all
Alta in summer
Jun – Aug
Good
- 14–17 °C by day
- Sea 9 °C
- 6.1 h of sun a day
- 41 rainy days in all
Alta in autumn
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 0–11 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 1.6 h of sun a day
- 36 rainy days in all
Alta in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- −4–−2 °C by day
- Sea 5 °C
- 0.6 h of sun a day
- 30 rainy days in all
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No month
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
No month
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Apr – Jun, Aug – Oct
Rainy season or more than 12 rainy days
Snow
Oct – May
Snow on 2 or more days
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Alta for you.
Your best months: July
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Weather in October
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Poor
Best time to visit: July
Where to go in OctoberSea temperature in October
Keep in mindFrequent rainSnow
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 0°
- Midday, 13:00: about 5°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 4°
- Evening, 20:00: about 2°
- Night, 23:00: about 1°
07:3516:50
Cold evenings: bring a warm jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 06:56–09:12 · evening 15:13–17:29
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:33–06:56 · evening 17:29–17:52
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
October in Alta compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs fall from about 8° at the start of the month to 2° at the end. The sea cools from 9° to 7°. The days get 4.7 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 8° | 2° |
| Night-time low | 2° | −3° |
| Sea | 9° | 7° |
| Daylight | 11.3 h | 6.6 h |
What is the weather like in Alta in October?
In October, Alta is cold: daytime highs average 5 °C, and nights cool down to about 0 °C. The sea averages 8.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 1.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 54 mm in total. Snow falls on about 6 days. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Alta.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 9 h 15 min07:35 – 16:50
- UV index
- 0 · lowclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 13 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 84 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Snow days
- 6 days1 cm or more of fresh snowAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+2offset from UTC
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %0 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %0 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %37 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “Nature escape”.
What to pack in October
- Warm jacket
- Hat, scarf & gloves
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Compare two months in Alta
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
July has the better holiday weather in Alta: score 71 against 11. In July, days are 12 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 2 °C warmer in July. July has one more rainy day. The sun shines 5 hours longer a day in July.
| Month | October | July |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 11 | 71better |
| Daytime high | 5° | 17° |
| Night-time low | 0° | 11° |
| Sea | 8.1° | 10.1° |
| Sunshine | 1.6 h | 6.6 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 13better | 14 |
| Rainfall | 54 mmbetter | 77 mm |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Alta month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
17January−3° · Sea 5° · 0.0 h
In January, Alta is bitterly cold: daytime highs average −4 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−10 °C). The sea averages 4.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun stays below the horizon all day (polar night). Precipitation falls on about 10 days, totalling 43 mm; on about 10 of them it snows. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Alta.
Alta in January18February−4° · Sea 4° · 1.8 h
In February, Alta is bitterly cold: daytime highs average −4 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−11 °C). The sea averages 3.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 1.8 hours a day. Precipitation falls on about 10 days, totalling 38 mm; on about 9 of them it snows. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Alta.
Alta in February18March−1° · Sea 3° · 4.2 h
In March, Alta is bitterly cold: daytime highs average −1 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−8 °C). The sea averages 2.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.2 hours of sunshine a day. Precipitation falls on about 11 days, totalling 41 mm; on about 10 of them it snows. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Alta.
Alta in March22April4° · Sea 3° · 5.8 h
In April, Alta is cold: daytime highs average 4 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−3 °C). The sea averages 2.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.8 hours of sunshine a day. Precipitation falls on about 12 days, totalling 42 mm; on about 10 of them it snows. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Alta.
Alta in April23May9° · Sea 4° · 6.5 h
In May, Alta is cold: daytime highs average 9 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sea averages 4.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.5 hours a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 55 mm. Snow falls on about 6 days. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Alta.
Alta in May53June14° · Sea 7° · 7.3 h
In June, Alta is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 7.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.3 hours a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 73 mm. All in all, June is a so-so month for a holiday in Alta.
Alta in June71July17° · Sea 10° · 6.6 h
In July, Alta is mild: daytime highs average 17 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. The sea averages 10.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 6.6 hours a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 77 mm. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Alta.
Alta in July59August16° · Sea 11° · 4.4 h
In August, Alta is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 10.6 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 73 mm in total. All in all, August is a so-so month for a holiday in Alta.
Alta in August30September11° · Sea 9° · 3.2 h
In September, Alta is cool: daytime highs average 11 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. The sea averages 9.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 63 mm in total. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Alta.
Alta in September11October5° · Sea 8° · 1.6 h
In October, Alta is cold: daytime highs average 5 °C, and nights cool down to about 0 °C. The sea averages 8.1 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 1.6 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 54 mm in total. Snow falls on about 6 days. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Alta.
Alta in October17November0° · Sea 7° · 0.1 h
In November, Alta is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 0 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−6 °C). The sea averages 6.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 0.1 hours a day. Precipitation falls on about 10 days, totalling 40 mm; on about 8 of them it snows. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Alta.
Alta in November18December−2° · Sea 6° · 0.0 h
In December, Alta is bitterly cold: daytime highs average −2 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−8 °C). The sea averages 5.9 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun stays below the horizon all day (polar night). Precipitation falls on about 10 days, totalling 41 mm; on about 9 of them it snows. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Alta.
Alta in DecemberClimate in detail
Year & climate table
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Alta
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Frost below 0°
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
ColdOctober: nights around 0°. The room should be heated.
The coolest nights are in February (−11°), the warmest in July (11°). Nights fall below 8 °C on average from September to June, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sea | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 17 | −4° | −10° | 4.6° | 0.0 h | 10 | 43 |
| FebruaryFeb | 18 | −4° | −11° | 3.6° | 1.8 h | 10 | 38 |
| MarchMar | 18 | −1° | −8° | 2.8° | 4.2 h | 11 | 41 |
| AprilApr | 22 | 4° | −3° | 2.6° | 5.8 h | 12 | 42 |
| MayMay | 23 | 9° | 2° | 4.3° | 6.5 h | 14 | 55 |
| JuneJun | 53 | 14° | 7° | 7.3° | 7.3 h | 14 | 73 |
| JulyJul | 71 | 17° | 11° | 10.1° | 6.6 h | 14 | 77 |
| AugustAug | 59 | 16° | 9° | 10.6° | 4.4 h | 13 | 73 |
| SeptemberSep | 30 | 11° | 5° | 9.3° | 3.2 h | 13 | 63 |
| OctoberOct | 11 | 5° | 0° | 8.1° | 1.6 h | 13 | 54 |
| NovemberNov | 17 | 0° | −6° | 6.8° | 0.1 h | 10 | 40 |
| DecemberDec | 18 | −2° | −8° | 5.9° | 0.0 h | 10 | 41 |
Climate averages 1996–2025 (sunshine partly WMO station normals 1991–2020), not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
69.97° N, 23.27° E · 65 m · Europe/Oslo
Sea temperature
Sea temperature in Alta
Monthly sea surface temperature with the range of cooler and warmer years.
8 in 10 years: 7.6 – 9.4 °C
Swimming season: Always below 20 °C
- cold
- fresh
- refreshing
- pleasant
- warm
- very warm
The sea temperature in Alta ranges from 2.6 °C in April to 10.6 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
The sea warms up slowly: it is warmest in August, while the air already peaks in July. From October to March the sea is even warmer than the afternoon air. The sea temperature varies from year to year: in August, eight out of ten years were between 9.7 and 12.0 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 4.6° | 3.6° | 5.4° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 3.6° | 2.4° | 4.6° | cold |
| MarchMar | 2.8° | 1.8° | 3.7° | cold |
| AprilApr | 2.6° | 1.3° | 3.7° | cold |
| MayMay | 4.3° | 3.5° | 5.4° | cold |
| JuneJun | 7.3° | 6.3° | 8.4° | cold |
| JulyJul | 10.1° | 8.7° | 11.7° | cold |
| AugustAug | 10.6° | 9.7° | 12.0° | cold |
| SeptemberSep | 9.3° | 8.4° | 10.8° | cold |
| OctoberOct | 8.1° | 7.6° | 9.4° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 6.8° | 6.1° | 8.0° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 5.9° | 5.1° | 6.6° | cold |
Sunshine
Sunshine hours in Alta
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 1.6 of 9.2 hours of daylight in Alta, 17 % of the daylight hours.
Sunshine hours: estimated from radiation data (ERA5, 1996–2025) and calibrated against measured station values; no weather station is close enough here. Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
Rain
Rain in Alta: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Alta has about 13 rainy days with 54 mm of rain in total.
UV index
UV index in Alta
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 0 · lowLittle protection needed; sunglasses on bright days.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 4).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- over 2 h
- Fair skin
- over 2 h
- Light brown skin
- over 2 h
- Olive skin
- over 2 h
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen the time, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Wind & clouds
Wind and clouds in Alta
How breezy and how cloudy Alta is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Alta typically peaks at 13 km/h during the day: Beaufort 3, gentle breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
The daily breeze rarely reaches Beaufort 4 (20 km/h), so wind sports depend on single windy days.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 84 % of the sky over Alta: mostly overcast, with about 1.6 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Snow
Snow in Alta
When Alta is likely to be white: the chance of seeing snow during a week's stay, the days with fresh snow and how much falls. Tap a month to select it.
Snow calendar
- hardly any
- possible
- likely
- very likely
In October, Alta has about 6 days with at least 1 cm of fresh snow, 19 cm in total. The chance of seeing snow during a week's stay is 51 out of 100: likely.
Snow days bring at least 1 cm of fresh snow. Fresh snow comes from ERA5 snowfall (1996–2025) at the height of the place, not on the slopes above it; the snow chance also weighs whether the snow settles. An estimate from climate averages, not a snow report.
Planning a trip to Alta
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Alta in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Alta has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 63) and its weakest during October half-term (score 11).
- 21
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 2 °C by day
- Sea 3 °C
- 5.3 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Snow
- 29
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 10 °C by day
- Sea 5 °C
- 6.7 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Snow
- 63
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
GoodBest holidays
- 16 °C by day
- Sea 10 °C
- 5.2 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 11
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 5 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 1.6 h of sun a day
- 13 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Snow
- 18
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- −3 °C by day
- Sea 5 °C
- 0.0 h of sun a day
- 10 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Snow
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 3 h 25 min
- Distance
- 2,390 km
- Time zone
- UTC+2
- Jet lag
- Hardly any (under 3 h)
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Good to know: Norway
- Currency
- Norwegian Krone (NOK)
- Languages
- Norwegian, Norwegian Bokmål, Norwegian Nynorsk
- Sockets
- Type C, F · 230 V
- Traffic
- Drives on the right
- Dialling code
- +47
- Emergency number
- 112
UK plugs need a travel adapter
Sources: GeoNames (CC BY 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0). Please check details before you travel.
Compare & alternatives
Compare with another place
Alta compared
Put Alta side by side with another destination.
Alta vs Lakselv
In October the holiday weather in Alta and Lakselv is about equally good (score 11 vs 11). During the day it is about as warm in Lakselv as in Alta. The sea in Lakselv is 1 °C cooler.
| in October | Alta | Lakselv |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 11 | 11 |
| Daytime high | 5° | 5° |
| Sea | 8° | 7° |
| Sunshine | 2 h | 2 h |
| Rainy days | 13 | 13 |
| Best time | Jul | Jul |
Through the year
Best places in the country
Norway in October: the best places
In October, Alta ranks 12 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Hønefoss10°22
- 2Måløy11°12°19
- 3Florø11°12°18
- 4Vadsø4°8°16
- 5Kirkenes4°8°16
- 6Ålesund11°12°16
- 7Lillehammer8°14
- 8Førde11°12°14
- 12AltaThis page5°8°11
Places nearby
Near Alta
Other destinations close by.
Places with a similar climate
Places with a climate like Alta
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Alta's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Alta
When is the best time to visit Alta?
The best time to visit Alta is in July. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
How warm is the sea in Alta?
The sea temperature in Alta ranges from 2.6 °C in April to 10.6 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Alta in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 8.1 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Alta?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 17 °C and nights around 11 °C. February is the coolest month at −4 °C.
When does it rain most in Alta?
Rain is frequent from April to June and from August to October; the wettest month is July with 77 mm. The driest month is February with 38 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Alta get?
Alta gets around 1,270 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is June with 7.3 hours a day; in January there is practically no direct sun.
What time zone is Alta in?
Alta is on UTC+1 in January and UTC+2 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Alta?
A nonstop flight from London to Alta takes about 3 h 25 min, for a straight-line distance of about 2,390 km.
Which school holidays are best for Alta?
Alta has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 63) and its weakest during October half-term (score 11). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 21, May half-term 29, summer holidays 63, October half-term 11, Christmas holidays 18.