What May feels like in Bergen
Late spring arrives in Bergen with May. Expect cool, jacket-on afternoons — comfortable for a long walk. The gap between afternoon and night is small, so nights are cold and the temperature hardly changes after dark. Moisture in the air gives the cold a damp edge.
Rain in Bergen in May
May is persistently wet here: some rain falls on about every other day. Each rainy day adds about 8.9 mm (0.4 in), a proper wetting rather than a sprinkle. That is lighter than the city's yearly norm of about 11.8 mm per rainy day. May is Bergen's driest month of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in May
Mid-month, Bergen gets 17 h 10 min of daylight, from sunrise near 5:00 am to sunset near 10:10 pm. The days are stretching out — 2 h 39 min more daylight than mid-April. Measured sunshine covers about 68% of the daylight — there are plenty of bright spells.
How May compares to the rest of the year
May is the 5th warmest month of the year in Bergen. Compared with April, afternoons are 3.8°C (6.8°F) warmer, with 3 mm less rain. The warm-up continues into June. The next month's average high: 15.9°C (60.6°F).
Who May suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — daytime temperatures are fine for walking around.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Beach: less ideal — the sea air is too cool.
- Hiking: less ideal — trails are cool.
Tips for visiting Bergen in May
Rain Protection
Keep a small umbrella in your bag and wear shoes that cope with puddles.
Light Jacket
A light jacket or knit layer is enough for most of the day.
Sunglasses
Frequent sunshine — sunglasses and a light hat.
Quick questions
How warm is Bergen in May?
Afternoons average 13°C (55.4°F) and nights about 5.8°C (42.4°F) — cool by most people's standards. It is the 5th warmest month of the year.
Does it rain a lot in Bergen in May?
Yes, fairly — rain falls about every other day and totals about 124 mm, so an umbrella is worth carrying.
What should I wear in Bergen in May?
Pack rain protection, a light jacket and sunglasses. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is May or June better for visiting Bergen?
June scores better on our climate ranking (#1 of 12 vs #2), rated Good against Good. June is warmer.