December weather forecast
Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

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The frozen Arctic Blue Sea overlooking the snow-covered mountains in the background in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and Jan Mayen
The frozen Arctic Blue Sea overlooking the snow-covered mountains in the background in Longyearbyen, Svalbard, and Jan Mayen

Weather in December

December in Longyearbyen is marked by the persistent domination of wintry conditions. The temperature reaches its second lowest at -11°C (12.2°F), just one degree more than the year’s lowest in February. Intermittent flurries of snowfall persist for 22 days, deepening the winter freeze further. The town remains in uninterrupted darkness with a UV index returning to nil, reminiscent of the January scenario. The December weather, stark and bleak yet incredibly magical, rounds off the year on a quintessential wintry note.

Temperature

December is characterized by a mild reduction in the average high-temperature, from a subzero cold -8°C (17.6°F) in November to an extremely cold -11°C (12.2°F). In the month of December, the average temperature dips to a polar cold -18°C (-0.4°F) during the night.

Rainfall

In December, the rain falls for 3 days. Throughout December, 25mm (0.98") of precipitation is accumulated. Throughout the year, in Longyearbyen, there are 86 rainfall days, and 271mm (10.67") of precipitation is accumulated.

Snowfall

Months with snowfall in Longyearbyen are January through December. The months with the most snowfall days are November and December, with an average of 22 snowfall days.

Sea temperature

In Longyearbyen, the average seawater temperature in December is 2°C (35.6°F).
Note: In the course of swimming, this situation is life-threatening and fraught with risk. The severe cold of the water leads to immediate hyperventilation. Wearing a specialized swimsuit is critical to limit thermal injury.

Daylight

January, May through July, November and December, with an average of 0h and 0min of daylight, are months with the shortest days.

Sunshine

The months with the least sunshine are January, February, November and December, with an average of 0h of sunshine.

UV index

January through March, October through December, with an average maximum UV index of 0, are months with the lowest UV index in Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen. A UV Index estimate of 2, and below, represents a low health risk from unsafe exposure to UV radiation for ordinary individuals.
Note: A typical high UV index of 0 in December suggests the following recommendations:
Although prolonged sun exposure does not typically bother most people, children, babies, and those with sensitive skin should always have protection. For skin protection, it's recommended to minimize Sun exposure during its peak hours around midday. A wide-brimmed hat is a staple for defending the face, eyes, ears, and neck from the Sun. Be advised! The UV radiation from the Sun can be almost doubled due to the reflective properties of snow.
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Frequently asked questions

How cold is December in Longyearbyen?

In December, in Longyearbyen, the average high-temperature is -11°C (12.2°F), and the average low-temperature is -18°C (-0.4°F).

How much does it rain in Longyearbyen in December?

In Longyearbyen, in December, during 3 rainfall days, 25mm (0.98") of precipitation is typically accumulated.

When does it snow the most in Longyearbyen?

The months with the most snowfall days in Longyearbyen are November and December, with an average of 22 snowfall days.

How many days does it snow in December in Longyearbyen?

In December, in Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, snow falls for 22 days.

What is the sea temperature in December in Longyearbyen?

In December, the average sea temperature in Longyearbyen is 2°C (35.6°F). For swimming, this is considered life-threatening and very dangerous. The water feels painfully cold, and hyperventilation quickly occurs. A specialized swimsuit is mandatory to reduce thermal damage.

What are the months with the shortest days in Longyearbyen?

The months with the shortest days in Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, are January, May through July, November and December, with an average of 0h and 0min of daylight.

How many hours of daylight does Longyearbyen have in December?

The average day length in December in Longyearbyen is 0h and 0min.

What is the month with the least sunshine in Longyearbyen?

The months with the least sunshine in Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, are January, February, November and December, with an average of 0h of sunshine.

How long on average sun shines in December in Longyearbyen?

In December, the average sunshine duration in Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, is 0h.

What is the month with the lowest UV index in Longyearbyen?

January through March, October through December, with an average maximum UV index of 0, are months with the lowest UV index.

What is the UV index intensity in December in Longyearbyen?

In December, the average daily maximum UV index in Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen, is 0. A UV Index of 2, and less, symbolizes a low health threat from exposure to the Sun's UV radiation.
Average rainfall days
Average snowfall days
Average daylight
Average sunshine
Average UV index

Average temperature in December
Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Average temperature in December - Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
  • Average high temperature in December: -11°C

The warmest month (with the highest average high temperature) is July (7°C).
The months with the lowest average high temperature are January, February and March (-13°C).

  • Average low temperature in December: -18°C

The month with the highest average low temperature is July (3°C).
The coldest month (with the lowest average low temperature) is February (-21°C).

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Average rainfall in December
Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Average rainfall in December - Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
  • Average rainfall in December: 25mm

The wettest month (with the highest rainfall) is August (30mm).
The driest month (with the least rainfall) is May (13mm).

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Average rainfall days in December
Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Average rainfall days in December - Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
  • Average rainfall days in December: 3 days

The month with the highest number of rainy days is August (18 days).
The months with the least rainy days are January, February and March (2 days).

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Average snowfall days in December
Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Average snowfall days in December - Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
  • Average snowfall days in December: 22 days

The months with the highest number of snowfall days are November and December (22 days).
The month with the least snowfall days is July (1 days).

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Average sea temperature in December
Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Average sea temperature in December - Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
  • Average sea temperature in December: 2°C

The best month for swimming (with the highest average sea temperature) is August (6°C).
The coldest months (with the lowest average sea temperature) are February and April (1°C).

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Average daylight in December /
Average sunshine in December
Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Average daylight in December / Average sunshine in December - Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
  • Average daylight in December: 0h and 0min

The month with the longest days is September (Average daylight: 14h and 30min).
The months with the shortest days are January, May, June, July, November and December (Average daylight: 0h and 0min).

  • Average sunshine in December: 0h and 0min

The month with the most sunshine is May (Average sunshine: 8h and 12min).
The months with the least sunshine are January, February, November and December (Average sunshine: 0h and 0min).

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Average UV index in December
Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

Average UV index in December - Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
  • Average UV index in December: 0

The months with the highest UV index are May, June and July (UV index 2).
The months with the lowest UV index are January, February, March, October, November and December (UV index 0).

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Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen

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