How much snow does Norway get?
How many days snow lies in each region, how deep it gets and how much it varies.
Short answer
On average, snow covers the ground for 25–50 days a year on the outer south-west coast and for 200–250 days on the mountain plateaus. The south-eastern lowlands average 100–150 days, and most of Troms and Finnmark over 200. Depth varies a lot between winters: Yr shows a maximum of 52 cm in Oslo in 2024 but 30 cm in 2025.
Why
- The regional averages come from Store norske leksikon, in an article by two meteorologists at MET Norway, which gives 150–200 days of snow cover a year in the upper valleys of southern Norway.
- In Northern Norway the coast south of Lofoten has only about 50 days with snow on the ground a year, while most of Troms and Finnmark has over 200.
- In January 2024, eleven weather stations with more than 15 years of data set new records for January snow depth, the highest being 138 cm at Godal in Skien, according to MET Norway.
Details
How long the snow lies depends on the temperature. In Karasjok and at Finsevatn, a mountain station at Finse, the 1991–2020 monthly normal is below zero from October to April, while in Oslo it is below zero only from December to February and in Bergen never. Even so, snow can settle on the coast: Bergen (Florida) had a maximum depth of 38 cm in 2024, and Tromsø 120 cm in 2025. The record snow depth in Norway cited by Store norske leksikon is 5.85 metres, at Grjotrust near Finse in April 1918.
Tip
If you travel for the snow, choose inland or mountain areas and check conditions shortly before you go; for ski trails around Oslo, Visit Oslo refers to Skiforeningen (skiforeningen.no) for up-to-date information.
What may differ
On Svalbard the air is dry: monthly precipitation normals at Svalbard Airport are only 8–27 mm, but the mean temperature stays below zero from October to May.
Common misconception
All of Norway is covered in snow all winter.
What actually happens
Not along the coast. Bergen's monthly normal temperature stays above zero all year, and Visit Norway notes that Oslo city centre can be without snow in some winters.
People also ask
- Does Norway get a lot of snow?
- How often does it snow in Norway?
Sources
- Store norske leksikon: SnowChecked at:
- MET Norway: Climate summary for January 2024Checked at:
- Yr: Tromsø weather statisticsChecked at:
- Yr: Oslo (Blindern) weather statistics, 2024Checked at:
- Visit Norway: Oslo in winterChecked at:
Information checked on 15 October 2026; snow amounts change a lot from one winter to the next.
Tips for travelling in Norway in winterRelated 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.