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What is Norway like in autumn?

Autumn weather, colours, northern lights and activities from September to November.

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Short answer

Autumn in Norway lasts from September to November and brings autumn colours, shorter days and the return of the northern lights in the north. Temperatures fall quickly: the 1991–2020 normal in Oslo is 12.2 °C in September, 6.6 °C in October and 2.2 °C in November. The west coast gets heavy rain, with 268 mm in October in Bergen.

Norway in autumn, winter and spring a round calendar wheel with four seasons shown as a snowflake, a leaf, a sun and a raindrop around a small mountain

Why

  1. Visit Norway says the leaves turn yellow and red in autumn and that the forests are full of berries, mushrooms and game.
  2. The northern lights can be seen in Lofoten from September, according to Visit Norway, so you do not have to wait for winter.
  3. Visit Norway notes that winter can arrive as early as October, but more often in mid-to-late November.

Details

Coastal areas usually have the highest temperatures in autumn: Bergen's October normal is 8.6 °C, compared with 6.6 °C in Oslo and 3.1 °C in Tromsø. Many Norwegians go hiking in the mountains or forests during the autumn break in October. In the cities, autumn is high season for art exhibitions, literature festivals and club concerts, according to Visit Norway.

Tip

Bring wind- and rainproof outer clothing and dress in several thin wool layers rather than one thick sweater, as Visit Norway recommends for autumn.

What may differ

Autumn comes earlier in the north and in the mountains, where rain sometimes turns to snow in early November. In Southern Norway summer weather can last well into October (Visit Norway).

Common misconception

You can only see the northern lights in winter.

What actually happens

Visit Norway says the northern lights are visible in Lofoten from September to March, so an autumn trip to Northern Norway can include them.

People also ask

  • What is there to do in Norway in autumn?
  • Is autumn a good time to visit Norway?

Sources

Information checked on 15 October 2026.

Norway in autumn, winter and spring
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