Office closed today, Friday 14 March
Due to frozen water pipes, the Governor’s office will be closed today, Friday, 14 March. The switchboard is staffed as usual (10 a.m.-3 p.m.), as is the police on-duty phone. Those who already have appointments with the Governor today can meet at the agreed time.
Published 3/13/2025
Application deadline for temporary facilities for summer 2025
A permit is required from the Governor for all temporary facilities for the summer season. Temporary facilities are camps or structures that will be outside throughout the entire season, or large parts of it. The deadline for applying is 6 April 2025.
Published 3/3/2025
Continued high avalanche danger in the east and south
NVE reports high avalanche danger (danger level 4) in Svalbard south on Monday and Tuesday, 3-4 March, and in Svalbard east on Monday, 3 March. There is no elevated avalanche danger in Longyearbyen itself.
Published 2/28/2025
High avalanche danger in the southern and eastern region
There is a high avalanche danger – danger level 4 – for the southern Svalbard region on Saturday and Sunday. There is danger level 4 for the eastern Svalbard region on Sunday. There is no increased avalanche danger in Longyearbyen itself according to the avalanche forecast from Skred AS.
Published 2/24/2025
Remember to apply for camping
The Governor reminds that all camping, including commercial tourist camps and other field activities, also under the auspices of research and education activities now require a permit from the Governor.
Published 2/23/2025
Ending polar bear monitoring
The polar bear has now swum past the outermost cabin on Revneset. It is now swimming in the direction of Gipsvika, so the Governor is ending the monitoring of the polar bear.
Published 2/23/2025
The polar bear is on the swim
The polar bear that was discovered at Advent City is now swimming in Adventfjorden in a north-westerly direction. The Governor's helicopter is trying to drive it further northwest until it is past the cabin area.
Published 2/23/2025
Polar bear at Advent City
There is a polar bear at Advent City. The Governor is monitoring the situation and requests that no one go out towards Hiorthhamn and Revneset.
Published 2/21/2025
Sea charts in Svalbard
The Norwegian Mapping Authority has created a separate information page for those who will be traveling by boat in Svalbard. The information page is available in Norwegian and English.
Published 2/8/2025
Road 300 is now open
Road 300 from Huset down to the intersection at the old museum (road 501) is now cleared of snow and open to traffic.