AI-generatedHammerfest at a glance
- Best time
- Jul
- Warmest month
- Jul · 14°
- Warmest sea
- Aug · 10.2°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,450 h
- Rain a year
- 1,008 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+1 / UTC+2
- Elevation
- 40 m
Climate in Hammerfest
Hammerfest has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. July is the warmest month with average highs of 14 °C, while February is the coolest at 0 °C. With around 1,450 hours of sunshine a year, Hammerfest is rather dull; May is the sunniest month with 8.1 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Best time to visit Hammerfest
The best time to visit Hammerfest is in July. The sea stays too cool for a classic beach holiday: even in August it only reaches 10.2 °C. The wettest month is October with 103 mm of precipitation.
Hammerfest through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Hammerfest in spring
Mar – May
Poor
- 2–7 °C by day
- Sea 4 °C
- 6.4 h of sun a day
- 48 rainy days in all
Hammerfest in summer
Jun – Aug
Fair
- 10–14 °C by day
- Sea 9 °C
- 7.0 h of sun a day
- 43 rainy days in all
Hammerfest in autumn
Sep – Nov
Poor
- 4–11 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 1.9 h of sun a day
- 49 rainy days in all
Hammerfest in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 0–2 °C by day
- Sea 5 °C
- 0.5 h of sun a day
- 43 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
All year
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 Hammerfest for you.
Your best months: May – 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 3°
- Midday, 13:00: about 7°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 6°
- Evening, 20:00: about 5°
- Night, 23:00: about 4°
07:3716:45
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 06:57–09:19 · evening 15:03–17:25
- Blue hour
- Morning 06:32–06:57 · evening 17:25–17:50
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 Hammerfest compared with home
Loading the climate at home …
Early or late October?
In October, daytime highs fall from about 9° at the start of the month to 5° at the end. The sea cools from 9° to 8°. The days get 5.0 h shorter.
| October | 1 Oct | 31 Oct |
|---|---|---|
| Daytime high | 9° | 5° |
| Night-time low | 5° | 1° |
| Sea | 9° | 8° |
| Daylight | 11.2 h | 6.2 h |
What is the weather like in Hammerfest in October?
In October, Hammerfest is cold: daytime highs average 7 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 8.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 1.9 hours a day. It rains often – on about 18 days, adding up to 103 mm. Snow falls on about 7 days. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hammerfest.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 9 h 8 min07:37 – 16:45
- UV index
- 0 · lowclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 20 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 82 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or more
- Snow days
- 7 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 %2 %
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 Hammerfest
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 Hammerfest: score 57 against 1. In July, days are 7 °C warmer than in October. The sea is 1 °C warmer in July. July has 4 fewer rainy days. The sun shines 6 hours longer a day in July.
| Month | October | July |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 1 | 57better |
| Daytime high | 7° | 14° |
| Night-time low | 3° | 9° |
| Sea | 8.3° | 9.5° |
| Sunshine | 1.9 h | 7.5 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 18 | 14better |
| Rainfall | 103 mm | 77 mmbetter |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Hammerfest month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
7January1° · Sea 5° · 0.0 h
In January, Hammerfest is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 1 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−3 °C). The sea averages 5.0 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun stays below the horizon all day (polar night). Precipitation falls on about 15 days, totalling 82 mm; on about 13 of them it snows. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hammerfest.
Hammerfest in January10February0° · Sea 4° · 1.4 h
In February, Hammerfest is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 0 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−4 °C). The sea averages 4.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 1.4 hours a day. Precipitation falls on about 13 days, totalling 76 mm; on about 12 of them it snows. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hammerfest.
Hammerfest in February6March2° · Sea 4° · 4.1 h
In March, Hammerfest is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 2 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−2 °C). The sea averages 3.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 4.1 hours of sunshine a day. Precipitation falls on about 17 days, totalling 89 mm; on about 15 of them it snows. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hammerfest.
Hammerfest in March19April4° · Sea 4° · 7.1 h
In April, Hammerfest is cold: daytime highs average 4 °C, and nights cool down to about 0 °C. The sea averages 3.8 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.1 hours a day. Precipitation falls on about 16 days, totalling 77 mm; on about 12 of them it snows. All in all, April is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hammerfest.
Hammerfest in April23May7° · Sea 5° · 8.1 h
In May, Hammerfest is cold: daytime highs average 7 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 5.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 8.1 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 73 mm. Snow falls on about 7 days. All in all, May is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hammerfest.
Hammerfest in May37June10° · Sea 7° · 8.1 h
In June, Hammerfest is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 6 °C. The sea averages 7.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 8.1 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 78 mm. All in all, June is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hammerfest.
Hammerfest in June57July14° · Sea 10° · 7.5 h
In July, Hammerfest is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 9.5 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun shines for around 7.5 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 77 mm in total. All in all, July is a so-so month for a holiday in Hammerfest – and yet one of the best months here.
Hammerfest in July46August14° · Sea 10° · 5.5 h
In August, Hammerfest is cool: daytime highs average 14 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. The sea averages 10.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. Expect around 5.5 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 86 mm. All in all, August is a so-so month for a holiday in Hammerfest.
Hammerfest in August22September11° · Sea 9° · 3.8 h
In September, Hammerfest is cool: daytime highs average 11 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sea averages 9.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 3.8 hours a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 100 mm. All in all, September is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hammerfest.
Hammerfest in September1October7° · Sea 8° · 1.9 h
In October, Hammerfest is cold: daytime highs average 7 °C, and nights cool down to about 3 °C. The sea averages 8.3 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 1.9 hours a day. It rains often – on about 18 days, adding up to 103 mm. Snow falls on about 7 days. All in all, October is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hammerfest.
Hammerfest in October6November4° · Sea 7° · 0.1 h
In November, Hammerfest is cold: daytime highs average 4 °C, and nights cool down to about 0 °C. The sea averages 7.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun is scarce, with only about 0.1 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 84 mm. Snow falls on about 11 days. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hammerfest.
Hammerfest in November6December2° · Sea 6° · 0.0 h
In December, Hammerfest is bitterly cold: daytime highs average 2 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−2 °C). The sea averages 6.2 °C – swimming is only for the hardy. The sun stays below the horizon all day (polar night). Precipitation falls on about 15 days, totalling 83 mm; on about 13 of them it snows. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Hammerfest.
Hammerfest in DecemberClimate in detail
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Hammerfest
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 3°. The room should be heated.
The coolest nights are in February (−4°), the warmest in July (9°). 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 | 7 | 1° | −3° | 5.0° | 0.0 h | 15 | 82 |
| FebruaryFeb | 10 | 0° | −4° | 4.3° | 1.4 h | 13 | 76 |
| MarchMar | 6 | 2° | −2° | 3.8° | 4.1 h | 17 | 89 |
| AprilApr | 19 | 4° | 0° | 3.8° | 7.1 h | 16 | 77 |
| MayMay | 23 | 7° | 3° | 5.2° | 8.1 h | 15 | 73 |
| JuneJun | 37 | 10° | 6° | 7.2° | 8.1 h | 15 | 78 |
| JulyJul | 57 | 14° | 9° | 9.5° | 7.5 h | 14 | 77 |
| AugustAug | 46 | 14° | 9° | 10.2° | 5.5 h | 15 | 86 |
| SeptemberSep | 22 | 11° | 7° | 9.3° | 3.8 h | 16 | 100 |
| OctoberOct | 1 | 7° | 3° | 8.3° | 1.9 h | 18 | 103 |
| NovemberNov | 6 | 4° | 0° | 7.2° | 0.1 h | 15 | 84 |
| DecemberDec | 6 | 2° | −2° | 6.2° | 0.0 h | 15 | 83 |
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
70.66° N, 23.68° E · 40 m · Europe/Oslo
Sea temperature in Hammerfest
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 Hammerfest ranges from 3.8 °C in March to 10.2 °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 April 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 9.2 and 11.0 °C.
| Month | Average | Cool year | Warm year | Feels |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 5.0° | 4.4° | 5.6° | cold |
| FebruaryFeb | 4.3° | 3.4° | 4.9° | cold |
| MarchMar | 3.8° | 3.1° | 4.5° | cold |
| AprilApr | 3.8° | 3.0° | 4.3° | cold |
| MayMay | 5.2° | 4.7° | 5.7° | cold |
| JuneJun | 7.2° | 6.4° | 7.7° | cold |
| JulyJul | 9.5° | 8.6° | 10.4° | cold |
| AugustAug | 10.2° | 9.2° | 11.0° | cold |
| SeptemberSep | 9.3° | 8.3° | 10.3° | cold |
| OctoberOct | 8.3° | 7.6° | 9.4° | cold |
| NovemberNov | 7.2° | 6.5° | 8.1° | cold |
| DecemberDec | 6.2° | 5.4° | 6.8° | cold |
Sunshine hours in Hammerfest
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 1.9 of 9.1 hours of daylight in Hammerfest, 21 % 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 in Hammerfest: 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, Hammerfest has about 18 rainy days with 103 mm of rain in total.
UV index in Hammerfest
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 and clouds in Hammerfest
How breezy and how cloudy Hammerfest 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 Hammerfest typically peaks at 20 km/h during the day: Beaufort 4, moderate breeze.
Breezy months for windsurfing and kiting
From Beaufort 4 (20 km/h) the daily breeze is usually enough for windsurfing and often for kiting: Sep – Apr.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 82 % of the sky over Hammerfest: mostly overcast, with about 1.9 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 in Hammerfest
When Hammerfest 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, Hammerfest has about 7 days with at least 1 cm of fresh snow, 25 cm in total. The chance of seeing snow during a week's stay is 55 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 Hammerfest
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Hammerfest 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.
Hammerfest has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 50) and its weakest during October half-term (score 1).
- 15
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Poor
- 3 °C by day
- Sea 4 °C
- 6.2 h of sun a day
- 16 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Snow
- 26
May half-term
May – Jun
Poor
- 8 °C by day
- Sea 6 °C
- 8.1 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Snow
- 50
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
FairBest holidays
- 14 °C by day
- Sea 10 °C
- 6.2 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 1
October half-term
Oct
Poor
- 7 °C by day
- Sea 8 °C
- 1.9 h of sun a day
- 18 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Snow
- 7
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 2 °C by day
- Sea 6 °C
- 0.0 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Snow
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 3 h 30 min
- Distance
- 2,460 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.
Compare & alternatives
Hammerfest compared
Put Hammerfest side by side with another destination.
Hammerfest vs Alta
In October Alta has the better holiday weather (score 11 vs 1). During the day Alta is 2 °C cooler than Hammerfest. The sea is about equally warm.
| in October | Hammerfest | Alta |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday weather score | 1 | 11 |
| Daytime high | 7° | 5° |
| Sea | 8° | 8° |
| Sunshine | 2 h | 2 h |
| Rainy days | 18 | 13 |
| Best time | Jul | Jul – Aug |
Through the year
Norway in October: the best places
In October, Hammerfest ranks 29 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Oslo10°12°25
- 2Kongsberg10°22
- 3Måløy12°12°19
- 4Vadsø4°8°16
- 5Kirkenes4°8°16
- 6Ålesund11°12°16
- 7Rjukan9°15
- 8Lillehammer8°14
- 29HammerfestThis page7°8°1
Near Hammerfest
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Hammerfest
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Hammerfest's – good alternatives.
Frequently asked questions about Hammerfest
When is the best time to visit Hammerfest?
The best time to visit Hammerfest 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 Hammerfest?
The sea temperature in Hammerfest ranges from 3.8 °C in March to 10.2 °C in August. Even at its warmest the sea stays below 20 °C, so swimming is bracing at best.
Can you swim in Hammerfest in October?
Only if you don't mind cold water: in October the sea averages just 8.3 °C. Comfortable swimming temperatures are not reached at any time of year.
What is the warmest month in Hammerfest?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 14 °C and nights around 9 °C. February is the coolest month at 0 °C.
When does it rain most in Hammerfest?
The wettest month is October with 103 mm of precipitation. The driest month is May with 73 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Hammerfest get?
Hammerfest gets around 1,450 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is May with 8.1 hours a day; in January there is practically no direct sun.
What time zone is Hammerfest in?
Hammerfest is on UTC+1 in January and UTC+2 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Hammerfest?
A nonstop flight from London to Hammerfest takes about 3 h 30 min, for a straight-line distance of about 2,460 km.
Which school holidays are best for Hammerfest?
Hammerfest has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 50) and its weakest during October half-term (score 1). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 15, May half-term 26, summer holidays 50, October half-term 1, Christmas holidays 7.