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What is the weather like in Norway in January?

January temperatures across Norway, polar night, daylight and clothing.

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Short answer

January is one of Norway's coldest months, with averages from just above freezing on the west coast to far below zero in inland Finnmark. The 1991–2020 normals give 2.6 °C in Bergen, −2.3 °C in Oslo, −3.0 °C in Tromsø and −14.6 °C in Karasjok. In most of Northern Norway the sun does not rise until the end of January.

The Norwegian winter: tips for travellers a round calendar wheel with four seasons shown as a snowflake, a leaf, a sun and a raindrop around a small mountain

Why

  1. MET's 1991–2020 normals give a January average of 2.6 °C at Bergen (Florida) and −14.6 °C at Karasjok (Markannjarga).
  2. Visit Norway says the sun does not rise at all in most of Northern Norway from the middle of November until the end of January.
  3. In January 2026 MET measured −41.5 °C at Karasjok on 11 January, and the national temperature ended 4.4 °C below normal.

Details

Southern Norway gets six to eight hours of daylight in the winter months, according to Visit Norway. Bergen is wet rather than cold, with a January precipitation normal of 256 mm. January also falls within October to March, the months Visit Norway names as the best for trying to see the northern lights.

Tip

Dress in layers with wool closest to the skin, and bring shoe spikes or grips for icy pavements; Visit Norway says they are sold in sports shops and big supermarkets.

What may differ

Inland areas and the far north are much colder than the coast. Visit Norway notes that on the open plains of inner Finnmark the temperature can fall as low as −30 °C.

Common misconception

It is dark around the clock everywhere in Norway in January.

What actually happens

Only the north has polar night. Visit Norway says southern Norway gets six to eight hours of daylight in the winter months, and the sun returns to most of Northern Norway at the end of January.

People also ask

  • How cold is Norway in January?
  • What should I wear in Norway in January?

Sources

Information checked on 15 October 2026.

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