How cold does it get in Norway in winter?
January normals for cities and inland areas, cold extremes and what to wear.
Short answer
Average January temperatures in Norway range from around 3 °C in Bergen to around −15 °C in Karasjok in inland Finnmark, based on 1991–2020 normals. Oslo averages −2.3 °C and Tromsø −3.0 °C. Inland cold snaps go much lower: MET Norway recorded −51.2 °C in Karasjok on 28 January 1999.
Why
- The figures are 1991–2020 normals, the reference period MET Norway has used since 1 January 2021.
- Visit Norway says coastal temperatures usually stay around zero in winter, while inland they can fall to between −10 and −20 °C.
- In January 2024 the lowest temperature in Norway was −43.5 °C, measured in Kautokeino on 4 January, according to MET Norway.
Details
February is about as cold as January: Tromsø's normal is −3.3 °C in February and Karasjok's −13.9 °C. Single winters can differ a lot from the normal; in January 2024 Oslo (Blindern) averaged −5.6 °C against a normal of −2.3 °C and dropped to −23.1 °C on 6 January. Wind makes it feel colder, and Visit Norway warns that wind chill can make you feel much colder than the thermometer shows.
Tip
Pack for the coldest place on your route: if you will be outside without moving much, Visit Norway suggests a thick down jacket and snow trousers over thermal underwear.
What may differ
Svalbard is colder: the 1991–2020 normal at Svalbard Airport is −10.9 °C in January and −12.0 °C in March, the coldest month there.
Common misconception
Norway is bitterly cold everywhere in winter.
What actually happens
Visit Norway points out that the Gulf Stream gives Norway a much milder climate than its latitude suggests, and Bergen's January normal is 2.6 °C. The hard cold is inland, especially in Finnmark.
People also ask
- How cold does it get in Norway?
- What is the average winter temperature in Norway?
Sources
- MET Norway: The new climate normal 1991–2020Checked at:
- Yr: Bergen (Florida) weather statisticsChecked at:
- Yr: Karasjok weather statisticsChecked at:
- MET Norway: Climate summary for January 2024Checked at:
- Visit Norway: Winter in NorwayChecked at:
Information checked on 15 October 2026; normals are 30-year averages, and any single winter can be much colder or milder.
What clothes to pack for NorwayRelated questions
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What does 'there is no bad weather, only bad clothing' mean in Norway?
The saying means that bad weather is no reason to stay indoors, because the right clothes let you enjoy being outside in rain, wind or cold.
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Do I need sunscreen in Norway?
Yes, you need sunscreen in Norway, especially in spring and summer, on snow in the mountains and on the water, where reflection makes UV radiation stronger.
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Do I need ice grips (brodder) on my shoes in a Norwegian winter?
Ice grips, called brodder in Norwegian, are worth packing for a winter trip, because temperatures around freezing often leave pavements and paths icy.
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What shoes should I bring to Norway?
Bring sturdy shoes that handle rain and rough paths, and in winter warm boots with room for wool socks and a good grip on ice.