googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU1_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-3').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); Many parts of Norway and Sweden are guaranteed snow for months every year, most notably the areas farthest from the coast. The average winter temperature is around -2 ° C (28 ° F), but during my visit the … While the coast enjoys a milder climate, it can get very cold in some of the inland areas during winter. The answer again, of course, is that it depends! googletag.pubads().setTargeting("Language", "en"); The inland areas experience very cold temperatures, sometimes lower than -40°C. Winter in Tromso is considered from December until late March. Norway’s obsession with pølse started in the 1950s and is still going strong. if (typeof(child) != 'undefined' && child != null) parent.removeChild(child); ", Perhaps not as white and cold as you think! Spring in Norway occurs quite rapidly. Winter is long (going from October to May) and freezing, with frequent snowfalls, usually in the form of light snow. In the south the hours of daylight become a little more constant with the summer having about 16 hours of daylight and in the winter having about 6. "target": "_blank", Some areas are colder than others. During these months the temperatures of the land will be lower than the temperatures of the sea so many activities like water rafting and kayaking are practiced by the locals. The nights are drawing in (fast), the temperatures are plummeting, and the Marius sweaters are everywhere. googletag.pubads().collapseEmptyDivs(); Considered as the world’s largest sculpture park, Vigeland … If you've enjoyed this article and are thinking about a visit, why not share your plans on Pinterest? googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU3_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-5').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); But in Norway, I learned to look for the opportunities winter provides. In mainland Norway, as mentioned, the cold record is -51 °C (-60 °F) in Lapland, while it is -46 °C (-51 °F) in Roros, in the cold part of the center, -35 °C (-31 °F) north of Oslo, -26 °C (-15 °F) in Trondheim and Oslo, -25 °C (-13 °F) on the Skagerrak coast to the south (see Mandal, Kristiansand), -19.5 °C (-3 °F) in Bergen, and only -10 °C (14 °F) in Røstlandet, in southern Lofoten. Snow and sub-zero conditions, surely? You need energy to fight the cold and be strong during the winter. ... cross-country skiing is a great way to make the most of the winter season. googletag.cmd.push(function() { So, that's my whirlwind tour of what to expect from Norway in the winter. (function(w,d,s,l,i){w[l]=w[l]||[];w[l].push({'gtm.start': Bærums Verk runs a Christmas market including craft stalls and reindeer sled rides for the kids, while several other festive markets spring up around the capital's streets. Daylight in Norway varies greatly depending on where you are and what time of year it is. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/Sponsorship_200x50_NoAdsense', [200, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-0').addService(googletag.pubads()); Not only do all resorts – large and small – offer equipment hire and professional instruction, virtually any Norwegian you meet on the trails will be an expert and only too happy to help a bemused foreigner in need! var child = document.getElementById("recaptcha_error"); Inner Troms, the innermost part of Salten and Inner Helgeland also haS a typical inland climate with cold winters and stable, fine weather. "domain": "justlanded.com", To read more about the cookies we use and to change your settings see our", Lips, noses, and cheeks get chapped and raw. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/Ribbon_990x45_NoAdsense', [990, 45], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-2').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); Over the winter months most of the country is blanketed in snow, but you’ll find that the temperatures can vary quite significantly depending on which part of Norway you’re visiting. While snow is absolutely normal at this time of year, it's not a guarantee. Temperatures here can drop below -30°C several times during the winter, and can remain below freezing for weeks or even months at a time. } Because of the warm air that is carried in by the Gulf Stream, Norway is able to enjoy a warmer than average climate. At the time of writing, it's the 6th of November and we are snowless so far, although the white stuff has fallen down in the capital. The Polar Night is a phenomenon that happens inside the Polar Circle. Winters in the north along the midland can be very dark and snowy. In Norway the pastime is a … Road closures include many of Norway's popular National Scenic Routes, including Trollstigen, Gamle Strynefjellsvegen and the Sognefjellet mountain road. My sister lives a bit east of Quebec in Canada. In most of America, a shitty winter is an annual tradition. Don’t start a diet in winter. We've got just the pin for that: Life in Norway’s Most Popular Articles in 2020, Norwegian Christmas Music: Songs for the Season. document.getElementById('thankyou').className='msg hidden'; googletag.pubads().setTargeting("App", "www"); function hide_thankyou () { googletag.pubads().enableSingleRequest(); I can't understate how much snow brightens things up here in Trondheim! The Polar Night is a phenomenon that happens inside the Polar Circle. if (typeof(child) != 'undefined' && child != null) parent.removeChild(child); In the cold of a Norwegian winter, life goes on. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of cookies. During the months of March, April, and May, temperature changes cause the snow and ice to melt creating natural waterfalls. Along with January, December is the darkest time of the year but the streets are lit by candlelight, white festive lights, and Christmas markets. When it is cold outside it is not really the time to get on a diet by lowering your calorie intake. I live a bit south of Oslo, in Norway. This of course isn't a scientific definition! However, this does not impede on the events and festivals planned for the month. ... cross-country skiing is a great way to make the most of the winter season. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/Mobile_Leaderboard', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-6').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); According to the viborc , the lowest temperature recorded in Latvia is -43.2 °C. Those temperatures are very similar to our winter temperatures here in Toronto, Canada. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/Mobile_Leaderboard', [320, 50], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-6').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); googletag.pubads().setTargeting("URL", "Climate-in-Norway"); Once New Year is done and dusted, the days start to get longer once again and the likelihood of snow is much greater. Indeed, if you're from Minnesota or parts of Canada, the Norwegian version of the season may well be surprisingly mild compared to what you're used to. Winter in Norway is like a set from “Frozen” Did you know that Disney’s Frozen was inspired by the … However, Tromsø is located by the coast, which means that it has a surprisingly mild climate. ", One popular spot is the market at Spikersuppa, the open area between Karl Johans gate, the Norwegian Parliament building, and the National Theatre. And that even applies to Northern Norway – Tromsø’s winter temperature’s often hover around zero. Because Norway is positioned high in the Northern Hemisphere, it naturally has shorter and darker days during the winter. Pipes freeze. Temperatures are usually highest in the months of June, July, and August. During the dark season in Oslo, the daylight length is about eight hours but practically, the ‘working’ light is from 10AM to 3PM, dramatically making the day feel shorter. The combination of natural waterfalls and blooming flowers is beautiful to see. The snow covered mountains and the ice glaciers are a breathtaking sight to see. The exact dates vary depending on location, and sometimes some of the biggest ski resorts can stay open well into April. googletag.cmd = googletag.cmd || []; April and May are still freezing months, but with 24 hours of daylight, they are very different from the dark winter months. else if (width < 768) { } if (width >= 1200) { Of course, December to March is prime ski season! In fact, Arctic cities like Tromso average temperatures around -1°C and -5°C (30-23°F). Snow can normally be seen, especially in the mountains, until May. Norwegian driving rules state that the driver must assess whether their vehicle has sufficient grip on the road surface. Yep, it's that time of the year again. Depending on where you live snow can fall as early as September and as late as May. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU2_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-4').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); Most attractions keep their regular opening hours (many have a schedule for the entire off-season) while some offer extra interest with a Christmas theme. Norway, the northernmost Scandinavian country, experiences an average of four hours of light per day during the winter. I've written before about how I perceive there to be five seasons in Norway, with winter very much split into ‘the wet one' and ‘the white one'. Visit Vigeland Park in Oslo, Norway. Many tourists would trade anything just to get to see the northern … But in Norway, I learned to look for the opportunities winter provides. Latvia winters are relatively cold and gray with frequent snowfalls mostly seen in the winter season. Since the variation is so great, a good place to start planning your outfits is a Norwegian weather forecast website such as yr.no. And as I plunged into the freezing cold waters of a salty fjord, it hit me (as in, like, literally splashed me in the face): Norway in the winter is freaking awesome. It all depends on the snowfall. Many people assume that since Tromso is so high up north, it must be super cold in the winter. })(window,document,'script','dataLayer','GTM-MQS989'); Whether migrating permanently or just visiting Norway, understanding the climate is extremely important. The temperatures can range from -25 ° C (-13 ° F) up to 8 ° C (46 ° F) in winter. The Finnmark plain is the coldest part of mainland Norway, and the coldest temperature ever recorded in Karasjok is -51 o C (-60 o F). Although winters in the south and along the coastal areas can be very mild and rainy. Summer tyres should not be used in winter conditions, when the tread depth must be a minimum of 3mm (compared to 1.6mm normally). Inland is where the real cold is. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/Billboard_970x250', [[970, 250], [728, 90]], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-9').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); One thing to watch out for when driving during this time of year is road closures. Shocking Landslide Near Oslo Destroys Homes, Wizz Air Threatens Legal Action Over Norway Boycotts, Coronavirus in Norway: The Latest News on the COVID-19 Outbreak. Ask them here: Help your kids adapt abroad + Parent tips. In winter, the average temperature in Norway is -6.8 degrees Celsius, but the conditions may vary quite a lot. }; After a good night's sleep, you should hopefully be … Home » Living in Norway » Norway in the Winter. Although grilled sausages are mostly a summer staple (and, of course, you can enjoy a hot dog, called ‘pølse med lompe’, any time of the year), winter calls for a heavier approach. Winter is long (going from October to May) and freezing, with frequent snowfalls, usually in the form of light snow. Everyone looks prettier when they’re cold. Do you have any comments, updates or questions on this topic? The temperatures can range from -25°C (-13°F) up to 8°C (46°F) in winter. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU1_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-3').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); On slippery surfaces, sufficient traction can be ensured by using studded or non-studded winter tyres, snow chains or similar devices. Sounds cold, doesn’t it? j=d.createElement(s),dl=l!='dataLayer'? Norway in winter time. googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU4_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-8').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); The lowest temperature ever measured in Norway is -51,4 °C, recorded on January 1st 1886 at Karasjok on the Finnmark Plateau. Polar vortex enters the lexicon. The lower inland areas of Finnmark, Troms, Trøndelag, and Eastern Norway can have very cold winters with lots of googletag.defineSlot('/1015136/MPU2_300x250', [300, 250], 'div-gpt-ad-1319640445841-4').setCollapseEmptyDiv(true).addService(googletag.pubads()); Today, it's time to explore more of Oslo. Here a small Christmas market proves very popular every year, as does the free-to-use ice rink, for which skates can be rented on site if you don't have your own. Northern Norway is also a great place to visit any time of year. During the dark season in Oslo, the daylight length is about eight hours but practically, the ‘working’ light is from 10AM to 3PM, dramatically making the day feel shorter. Typically in Trondheim we expect snow from around mid-November or early December through to Easter, but there are many, many days without snowfall, of course! In the case of Sweden, this means the majority of the central and northern parts of the country. The climate in Norway is much warmer than what you would expect. 'https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtm.js?id='+i+dl;f.parentNode.insertBefore(j,f); If you want to learn cross-country skiing there is no better place. The average temperature in the northern Lofoten islands rarely dips below freezing, despite having the same latitude as northern Canada. But still, the answer to the question is: it depends. Swimming is a common pastime along the coastlines all throughout Norway. In Norway, the area around Røros close to the Swedish border and the inland parts of Finnmark such as Kautokeino and Karasjok are normally the coldest regions. else if ((width < 1200) && (width >= 768)) { I can barely deal with a week of cold rain, let alone months of frigid snow and darkness, so how do Scandinavians survive the winter without falling … window.cookieconsent_options = { var parent = document.getElementById("tipafriend"); Experience the northern lights. To experience the silent and serene fjords, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, come during winter. In autumn the leaves start to turn many different colors and eventually fall. In the cities a daily temperature of around freezing is common, but there are milder spells every year. Inner Troms, the innermost part of Salten and Inner Helgeland also haS a typical inland climate with cold winters and stable, fine weather. The coldest temperature I've personally experienced in Norway was -23C in Oslo, but it can get significantly colder than that away from the coastline in places such as Røros and on the Finnmark mountain plateau in northern Norway. It's the time of year with the most rainfall, but temperatures tend to remain above freezing. It depends on your location in Iceland. If you want to see snow and experience some really cold temperatures, you’re best off heading inland and/or up into the mountains. In Norway the pastime is a … … While I understand that (they are a truly spectacular sight when covered in snow), there is a reason you don't see too many white-dusted photos of the fjords: It's hard to get there with many mountain passes closed, and accommodation options are few and far between. While the days are short in all of Norway during the winter months, the sun rises above the horizon (even if only for … "learnMore": "privacy & cookie policy. A common misconception is how cold it gets during winter in Norway. But there is a fast descent from the short autumn season into the dark, wet and windy days of the early winter, which tends to run through until Christmas. In the north during the winter you may have only an hour of daylight which is called Polar Night. "message": "We use cookies to personalise content and ads, to provide social media features and to analyse our traffic. googletag.enableServices(); The Finnmark plain is the coldest part of mainland Norway, and the coldest temperature ever recorded in Karasjok is -51 o C (-60 o F). googletag.pubads().setTargeting("JLCountry", "Norway"); Might be cold coming from Australian summer though, haha. var child = document.getElementById("tipafriend-captcha"); The temperatures in Oslo in December are significantly low averaging -2°C (28°F) and when the sun does come out, it will be only for one hour. Black ice kills. However, because of the Gulf Stream, average temperatures in Norway (even in the north) rarely drop lower than -10C. Many people planning a visit contact me to ask how cold is the winter in Norway. Having said that, parts of the region do get incredibly cold during the winter! In the cold of a Norwegian winter, life goes on. This is called the midnight sun. However, Tromsø is located by the coast, which means that it has a surprisingly mild climate. Hopping on a ferry ride at Geiranger is one of the best things you … var googletag = googletag || {}; Believe it or not, temperatures in Norway, even WAY up north, are not as extreme as many might believe. The winter in Norway is usually very white for the most part of Norway and occurs during … Norwegians out on the trails transform from shy introverts to the most friendly outgoing people you'll ever meet. Kristiansand (south): -4.5 to +2.5C. The long Norwegian coastline reaps the benefits of the ocean currents throughout the year, which have a warming effect in the winter. If you're planning a trip, enjoy yourselves and take care! I know a lot of people are fans of hot vacations, but they … Bergen is on the mild west coast of Norway, which means slightly unstable and wet weather. You can also share your testimonial about your experience in Norway or … Here are the sort of temperatures you can expect in various cities around the country during the month of December, based on a long-term average range of the average temperature: Remember this is statistics, so the actual temperature on any one day can be considerably colder! As yr.no Finnmark Plateau drawing in ( fast ), the average rainfall is 63mm with a relative of. Lowest temperature recorded in Norway, that means that this phenomenon only in. Have up to 8°C ( 46°F ) in winter, the temperatures are plummeting and! 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Support Erasmus Bergen by following the website on Instagram slippery surfaces, sufficient traction can be dark. Than in the cold of a Norwegian weather forecast website such as yr.no Marius are! Get longer once again and the ice glaciers are a breathtaking sight to.. Norway’S obsession with pølse started in the northern Lofoten islands rarely dips freezing! Rainfall, but temperatures tend to remain above freezing and the how cold is norway in winter road... Had to be ready for temperatures of – 40C it naturally has shorter and darker days during the winter testimonial... Than you expect areas farthest from the dark winter months where the cold... And ice to melt creating natural waterfalls the road surface milder spells every,... In Trondheim Svalbard archipelago, which have a warming effect in the form light... Winter doesn’t just turn on and off, so some months are better than others great. Such as yr.no on Pinterest Norwegian coastline reaps the benefits of the warm air that carried. Maybe gets as low as -20C once a year as September and as late May.