Weather in Kristiansand

Planning your day or a trip to Kristiansand? In this section, you will find the freshest weather information, up-to-date forecasts, and useful weather charts so you can be prepared for any surprises nature may bring.

The climate in Kristiansand, located on the southern coast of Norway, can be characterised as temperate maritime. The city experiences four distinct seasons. Winters here are quite cool, with average daytime temperatures hovering around 0-3°C, and night-time temperatures often dropping below freezing. Summer, on the other hand, is mild and pleasant, with average maximum temperatures around 18-19°C in July and August, the warmest months.

Spring and autumn are transitional seasons. Spring sees a gradual warming starting from March and a decrease in the number of days with precipitation compared to winter. In autumn, a gradual cooling occurs, and the number of days with precipitation increases again, peaking in October-December. A characteristic feature of the weather in Kristiansand is the significant number of days with precipitation throughout the year (from 10 to 18 days per month), although the total amount of precipitation in millimetres remains low. This suggests that tourists should be prepared for frequent, but often light, rain or snow, depending on the time of year.

The climate in Kristiansand is characterised by noticeable seasonal temperature changes throughout the year. The warmest month is usually July, when the average temperature is 15.8°C, and maximum daytime values reach an average of 19.3°C. The coldest month is typically January: the average temperature drops to 0.4°C, and the average minimum night-time temperature is -1.6°C. Overall, the annual temperature range shows a smooth transition from a cool winter to a moderately warm summer.

The summer months in Kristiansand, from June to August, are distinguished by pleasantly warm weather. Average maximum temperatures during this period range from 18.5°C to 19.3°C, creating comfortable conditions for outdoor recreation and exploring the city. Nights also remain relatively warm, with average minimum temperatures ranging from 11.2°C to 12.3°C. This is not sweltering heat, but rather a mild and refreshing northern summer.

The winter period, from December to February, in Kristiansand is characterised by cool weather. Average air temperatures during these months are close to the freezing point: from 0.4°C in January to 1.5°C in December. Night-time lows can drop below zero (for example, -1.6°C in January and -1.2°C in February), creating conditions for frost. Daytime highs in winter usually range from 2.4°C to 3.2°C. Daily temperature fluctuations throughout the year are moderate: the difference between the average maximum and average minimum temperature is usually within 3-8°C, indicating the absence of sharp drops between day and night readings.

In Kristiansand, precipitation is distributed throughout the year, and there is no clearly defined rainy season or dry period in the classical sense. Nevertheless, a certain seasonality is observed: autumn and winter months are generally characterised by more frequent precipitation, while spring brings relatively drier weather.

Regarding the amount of precipitation, November is the month with the highest average figure, reaching about 6 mm. The "driest" month in terms of precipitation volume is considered to be April, when the amount is approximately 2 mm. The frequency of precipitation also varies: the highest number of days with precipitation occurs in October and December (on average 18 days each), while the lowest is in April and May (about 10 days in each).

The nature of precipitation depends on the time of year. During the winter period, especially from December to February, when average air temperatures hover around zero degrees Celsius or drop lower (for example, in January the average temperature is 0.4°C, and the minimum can reach -1.6°C), precipitation often falls as snow. In transitional months, such as March and November, one can expect both rain and snow. During the rest of the year, from spring to autumn, rain prevails in Kristiansand. Despite the fact that the total millimetres of precipitation may seem small, it is worth noting that even in relatively "dry" months like April, precipitation occurs during roughly a third of the month, so waterproof clothing may prove useful.

When planning a trip to Kristiansand, it is important to be prepared for changeable weather and frequent precipitation, which are characteristic of this region of Norway throughout the year. A key element of your wardrobe should be a high-quality waterproof and windproof jacket, as well as comfortable waterproof shoes. Even if the monthly amount of precipitation is small, the number of rainy days can be significant, so it is better to be prepared. The principle of layering in clothing is your best ally: it will allow you to easily adapt to temperature changes, which can fluctuate even within a single day, especially during transitional seasons.

In summer, from June to August, when the average temperature hovers around 15-16°C, you will find light items such as t-shirts, shorts, and light trousers useful. However, do not forget to bring a sweater or fleece jacket for cool evenings or windy days, as well as a light waterproof jacket or raincoat. Sunscreen will also be useful on clear days. In the off-season (April-May and September-October), the weather becomes cooler, with average temperatures from 5°C to 13°C. During this period, it is worth packing warm sweaters, jeans or thick trousers, a mid-season jacket, as well as a hat and gloves in case it gets colder. In winter, from December to March, average temperatures stay around 0-2°C, often dropping below zero. For this time of year, a warm winter jacket, insulated trousers, thermal underwear, a hat, a scarf, gloves, and warm waterproof boots are necessary.

Regardless of the time of year, always bring comfortable shoes for walking, as Kristiansand and its surroundings offer many interesting places to explore on foot. A compact umbrella can also be a very useful addition to your luggage, given the high probability of rainy days. An electrical adapter and a portable phone charger will make your journey more comfortable.