When to go · Alta
Alta in May
Good month. Outside the best window (Feb–Mar, Jun–Aug). Across Norway: Fruit blossom in Hardanger, 17 May celebrations; mountain roads still closed early in the month.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Temperature
- 10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C) / 0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 8
- Crowds
- Medium
- Norway overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Norway overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Feb–Mar, Jun–Aug). Across Norway: Fruit blossom in Hardanger, 17 May celebrations; mountain roads still closed early in the month.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated good. These months rate higher:
Weather in May
- AltaHighs around 10 °C (50 °F), lows around 0 °C (32 °F), rain on about 8 daysHighs around 50 °F (10 °C), lows around 32 °F (0 °C), rain on about 8 days
- Arctic north, Norway · Tromsø, Lofoten, Senja, Alta, North Capecool
Warmer than its latitude thanks to the Gulf Stream. Polar night in Tromsø about 27 Nov – 15 Jan, midnight sun about 20 May – 22 July; North Cape about 14 May – 29 July. Aurora season September–March.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Constitution Day big impact
17 May · Norway
Children's parades, national costumes, everything closed; Whit Monday also falls on 17 May in 2027.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Norway overall
- Medium
- Prices · Norway overall
- Medium
Norway overall: Fruit blossom in Hardanger, 17 May celebrations; mountain roads still closed early in the month.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Alta, side by side.
Verdict
May: Good
Feb: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 10 °C (50 °F)50 °F (10 °C)
Feb: -3 °C (27 °F)27 °F (-3 °C)
Night low
May: 0 °C (32 °F)32 °F (0 °C)
Feb: -13 °C (9 °F)9 °F (-13 °C)
Rain days
May: 8
Feb: 5 (better)
Crowds
May: Medium
Feb: Medium
Prices
May: Medium
Feb: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 1
Feb: 0
May: Outside the best window (Feb–Mar, Jun–Aug). Across Norway: Fruit blossom in Hardanger, 17 May celebrations; mountain roads still closed early in the month.
February: Inside Alta's best window: Feb–Mar, Jun–Aug.
Alta: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket