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Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Svalbard · Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Longyearbyen is a small town in Svalbard, Svalbard and Jan Mayen with a population of 2,368. Elevation: 3 ft (1 m). Average temperature: 20°F (-7°C).
Data updated June 2026
Discover Longyearbyen, Svalbard and Jan Mayen
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About Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen is one of the world's northernmost settlements, with an estimated population of around 2,400–2,800, and is the capital and largest settled area of Svalbard. It stretches along the foot of the left bank of the Longyear Valley and on the shore of Adventfjorden, the short estuary leading into Isfjorden on the west coast of Spitsbergen, the island's broadest inlet. As of 2002, Longyearbyen Community Council is an official Norwegian municipality. It is the seat of the Governor of Svalbard. As of 2024, the town's mayor is Leif Terje Aunevik.
People
Climate
| Population | 2,368 |
| Population Density | 25 / sq mi |
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Coordinates | 78.2233°, 15.6469° |
| Timezone | Arctic/Longyearbyen |
| Country | 🇸🇯 Svalbard and Jan Mayen |
| State / Province | Svalbard |
| Average Temperature | 20°F (-7°C) |
| January Average | 7°F (-14°C) |
| July Average | 40°F (5°C) |
| Annual Precipitation | 16.1 inches (409 mm) |
| Annual Snowfall | 12.4 inches (32 cm) |
About Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen is a small town in Svalbard and Jan Mayen (Svalbard) with a population of 2,368. The city sits at an elevation of 3 feet (1 meters) above sea level. The average annual temperature is 20°F (-7°C). Temperatures range from 7°F in January to 40°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 16.1 inches. The timezone is Arctic/Longyearbyen.
Climate in Longyearbyen
Longyearbyen has an average annual temperature of -3.8°C (25°F). The hottest month is Jul (7.4°C), the coldest is Mar (-12.2°C). Average annual precipitation is 206 mm.
Temperature
| Annual Average | 20.2°F |
| 63% below Svalbard and Jan Mayen avg | |
| January Average | 7°F (-14°C) |
| July Average | 40°F (5°C) |
| Sunny Days | 307 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 3 ft (1 m) |
| Area | 93.8 sq mi (242.9 km²) |
| Population Density | 25/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 78.2233°N, 15.6469°W |
| Timezone | Arctic/Longyearbyen |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 0.3 m (1 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2011 | SVALBARD | Meteorological | 0.3 m | — | 27 km |
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 7°F (-14°C) | 1.4 in | |
| February | 5°F (-15°C) | 1.3 in | Coldest |
| March | 7°F (-14°C) | 1.2 in | |
| April | 10°F (-12°C) | 0.9 in | |
| May | 24°F (-5°C) | 0.8 in | Driest |
| June | 34°F (1°C) | 1.2 in | |
| July | 40°F (5°C) | 1.8 in | Warmest |
| August | 39°F (4°C) | 1.9 in | Wettest |
| September | 31°F (-0°C) | 1.5 in | |
| October | 21°F (-6°C) | 1.4 in | |
| November | 14°F (-10°C) | 1.4 in | |
| December | 9°F (-13°C) | 1.4 in |
Longyearbyen has a seasonal temperature swing of 35°F / from 5°F in February to 40°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 16.1 inches, with August being the wettest month (1.9") and May the driest (0.8").
Colleges & Universities in Longyearbyen
| Institution | Type | Founded | Website |
|---|---|---|---|
| Samskipnaden Student Housing Svalbard | University | — | — |
| Svalbard Folkehøgskole | University | — | Visit → |
| University Centre in Svalbard | University | — | Visit → |
Schools in Longyearbyen
2 public schools (NCES 2022-23 data).
| School | Level | Enrollment | Teachers | Student/Teacher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longyearbyen skole, grunnskole | — | — | — | — |
| Longyearbyen skole, videregående | — | — | — | — |
Radio Stations near Longyearbyen
0 stations within ~55 km.
| Station | Genre | Quality |
|---|
Museums in Longyearbyen
| Name | Type | Address | Phone | Annual Revenue |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Pole Expedition Museum | ||||
| Svalbard Museum | ||||
| WildPhoto Travel |
Libraries in Longyearbyen
| Name | Address | Staff | Annual Visits | Circulation | Collection | Programs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Longyearbyen Folkebibliotek | 0.0 |
Hotels in Longyearbyen
9 hotels within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Restaurants in Longyearbyen
10 restaurants within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cafes in Longyearbyen
5 cafes within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Cinemas in Longyearbyen
1 cinemas within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Monuments in Longyearbyen
9 monuments within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Bus Stations in Longyearbyen
1 bus stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Gas Stations in Longyearbyen
3 gas stations within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Shopping Malls in Longyearbyen
1 shopping malls within city radius — OpenStreetMap data
Ski Resorts Near Longyearbyen
1 ski resorts within range.
| Resort | Slopes (km) | Lifts | Peak (m) | Price | Season | Night | Park |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nedover Alpinbakke | 0.0 | — | — | $0 | — | — | — |
Airports Near Longyearbyen
1 airports within the area.
| Airport | IATA | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Svalbard Airport, Longyear | LYR | Medium Airport |
Post Offices in Longyearbyen
1 post offices.
| Post Office | Address |
|---|---|
| Longyearbyen postkontor |
Churches & Religious Organizations in Longyearbyen
1 religious organizations (IRS tax-exempt data).
| Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Svalbard kirke |
Explore Near Longyearbyen
Quick Facts
🇸🇯 About Svalbard and Jan Mayen
Public Holidays in Svalbard and Jan Mayen
12 public holidays this year
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Get ReportFrequently Asked Questions About Longyearbyen
What is the population of Longyearbyen?
Longyearbyen has a population of 2,368 residents and is located in Svalbard and Jan Mayen. The population density is 25 people per square mile, spread across 93.8 square miles.
What is the weather like in Longyearbyen?
Longyearbyen has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 20°F (-7°C). Winter temperatures average 7°F in January, while summers reach an average of 40°F in July. The area receives 307 sunny days per year, well above the national average of 205. Annual rainfall totals 16.1 inches, with 12.4 inches of snow.