Home
Weather Dublin
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
    Home / Editor's Pick /

    Midnight sun: Relentless daylight in the arctic

06:00
21 May 2023

Midnight sun
Relentless daylight in the arctic

Midnight in June in the Khibiny Mountains, Arctic Russia, with a light blue sky
Midnight in June in the Khibiny Mountains, Arctic Russia.

Can you imagine never seeing the sun set during the summer months?

During this time of year, a phenomenon called ‘Midnight Sun’ or 'Polar Day’ occurs in places north of the Arctic circle, when the sun does not set below the horizon.

In Norilsk (69.3° N in latitude), the Midnight Sun this year lasts from 20th May to July 24th.

The further north the location, the longer the Midnight Sun. In Svalbard, Norway (77.8° N), there is no sunset between the end of April to late August, whereas at the North Pole, it lasts for six months.

The opposite is then true during winter, when the sun does not rise above the horizon, and there is no daylight. This is called the Polar Night and begins around the Autumn Equinox in September.

Even in the British Isles, though not quite land of the Midnight Sun, northern extremities of Scotland experience sustained nautical twilight, where the sun never dips more than 12° below the horizon.

This occurs between the end of May and mid-July, so don't miss the opportunity to get out there and snap some shots! You can share them with us via our uploader.

Weather & Radar editorial team
More on the topic
The map shows current water temperatures in Europe and the Mediterranean. The water is particularly warm off the coast of Spain and North Africa, and cooler in the North Sea and the Baltic Sea.
Wednesday 20 May 2026

Ideal for half-term

Warming waters in holiday spots
Temperature map of Europe showing thermometers. Warm air is found in the south, with cooler temperatures in Central Europe.
Thursday 14 May 2026

Contrasts in Europe

Early summer around the Mediterranean
The night sky glows with vivid aurora colours, showing bright green bands near the horizon blending into purple and pink streaks higher up. Dark silhouettes of trees frame the bottom of the scene.
Wednesday 13 May 2026

To the north

Northern Lights could shine tonight
All weather news
This might also interest you
Outline of Santa Claus with a yellow and white hat, "Ho-Ho-Ho" next to the outline above a Christmas tree.
Thursday 25 December 2025

Merry Christmas!

Wishes from Weather & Radar
Split image showing strong winds over the UK on a forecast map and widespread rain and snow on a weather radar map.
Tuesday 27 January 2026

Severe gales & heavy rain

Storm Chandra makes impact
Split image showing a person in a yellow jacket struggling against strong winds and heavy rain on a street at night on the left, and an Irish wind forecast map on the right with red and purple shading, gusts up to 75 mph, and a wind warning icon, divided by a curved white line.
Saturday 24 January 2026

On this day...

Historic Storm Éowyn arrives
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList