Climate Insights for Skien

The climate in Skien is cool. The average annual temperature is 7°C and approximately 1167mm of precipitation falls per year. Skien receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Skien is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, June, August. The coldest months are January, February, December, when temperatures can drop to -5°C. Skien experiences heavy snowfall, typically from January through December.

Temperatures in Skien vary considerably across the year, with a 26°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. July is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 21°C with a mean of 17°C. The coldest month is January, when overnight lows fall to -5°C and the daily average is -3°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 7°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 6°C shift in average temperatures.

Skien is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 1167mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 97mm per month. The wettest month is September, averaging 127mm of rainfall. November and October also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is April, with just 55mm. That's 72mm less than September, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around. Skien receives heavy snowfall, accumulating around 273cm annually from January through December. The snowiest month is January, with approximately 72cm. Winter travel should account for significant snow cover.

Skien is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 9km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is January, averaging 11km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in July, with average winds dropping to 8km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 3km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently autumn in Skien, which began on September 23, 2026. Skien is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in July at around 21°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in January near -5°C. Winter is next, beginning on December 21, 2026 (87 days from now).

The best time to visit Skien is during June, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 15°C with modest rainfall averaging 94mm per month. By contrast, July can be uncomfortably hot with highs reaching 21°C, while January is the coldest period with lows dropping to -5°C. Despite being the best months overall, some rain is still likely. Pack a waterproof layer and plan a mix of indoor and outdoor activities.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Skien based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.