Spring

May on Svalbard is a time of transition and awakening – a special phase in which the long Arctic winter slowly takes its leave and nature comes back to life. Spring combines the final days of wintry Svalbard with the first heralds of summer, offering a unique interplay of snow, light and awakening wildlife.

Midnight Sun and Endless Light

Since April the sun no longer sets, and in May Svalbard shines around the clock in the light of the midnight sun. Day and night blur into one, and the warm light illuminates the landscape at every hour. This brightness gives spring a special energy – the long, bright days practically invite you to spend as much time as possible outdoors in nature.

Winter and Spring at Once

May shows Svalbard from a very special side, as two seasons meet here. While the landscape is in many places still deeply covered in snow and the fjords are frozen, the first signs of spring gradually begin to show. During the day, temperatures slowly climb – in May there have even been highs of +15 °C, though usually they hover around 0 °C. The snow melts, and for hikes rubber boots are definitely recommended. It is a time of transition, which sometimes arrives faster than one might expect.

The Conditions

In May it becomes noticeably milder: in Longyearbyen temperatures hover around 0 °C. Those who leave the settlement, however, find Svalbard still in winter – and that is precisely what continues to make many tours possible, such as multi-day mountain-ski tours or ski tours with boat transfer, at very pleasant temperatures.

Sun, longer days and gradually melting snow create constantly changing conditions in and around Longyearbyen. While in the first half of May the snow and ice conditions are often still stable enough for wintry activities, the winter season slowly draws to a close towards the end of the month. Spring is thus a particularly dynamic time, in which nature changes from day to day.

Awakening Wildlife

Spring is the time when Svalbard's wildlife comes back to life. More and more migratory birds return and populate the coasts and bird cliffs to breed – a lively bustle after the silence of winter. Reindeer and Arctic foxes can be seen frequently, the first seals bask on the ice, and the walruses also slowly return to the Isfjord. With a little luck, the first smaller whales can be spotted again towards the end of spring, such as the minke whale or belugas – though for the larger whales we still have to wait a little longer. The awakening of nature makes spring a particularly vibrant and fascinating season.

Photographic Opportunities

For photographers, May offers ideal conditions. The soft, warm light of the midnight sun creates atmospheric shots especially in the evening, and the contrast between snow-covered mountains, frozen fjords and the first snow-free patches makes for striking subjects. The returning wildlife also offers numerous opportunities for special images – particularly on boat tours, there is the chance of very impressive shots. Northern lights have not been visible since March, as it is simply too bright.

Activities and Tours

May is a versatile time for activities. In the first week of May, snowmobile and dog-sledding tours are often still possible, provided the snow and ice conditions cooperate. At the same time, the season of ship tours slowly begins, as the first ships return to Svalbard as soon as the ice allows, making excursions along the impressive coastlines possible. May is a perfect time for ski tours, as the warm temperatures combined with snow-covered mountains and glaciers outside Longyearbyen can be brought together into wonderful adventures, without having to brave the deep cold.

Spring is the perfect choice for everyone who wants to be out and about by boat or on skis. In May, winter and summer meet, while the endless brightness of the midnight sun brings nature noticeably back to life. Those who want to experience Svalbard in a time of change and vitality will find in May a very special season.

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