What is the weather like in Oslo in winter?
Winter temperatures, snow, skiing by metro and clothing advice for Oslo.
Short answer
Average winter temperatures in Oslo are just below freezing, from about −1 °C in December to about −2 °C in January and February (1991–2020 normals). Snow in the city centre varies a lot from year to year, but the hills around Oslo are often white, with more than 2,600 km of prepared ski trails a metro ride away.
Why
- Visit Norway says snowfall is common around Oslo and that average winter temperatures there are just below zero.
- Oslo's precipitation normals are 54 mm in December, 58 mm in January and 46 mm in February, far less than Bergen's 209–290 mm in the same months.
- Visit Oslo says 90 km of the ski trails around the city are lit for evening skiing.
Details
Metro line 1 runs to Holmenkollen and Frognerseteren, line 3 to Skullerud and Mortensrud, and line 5 to Sognsvann, all starting points for ski trails. At Frognerseteren you can rent a toboggan at Korketrekkeren and ride 2 km down to Midtstuen metro stop. In town you can skate at Spikersuppa and Frognerparken, which both rent out skates, and Visit Norway says southern Norway gets six to eight hours of daylight in the winter months.
Tip
Dress in layers with wool next to the skin and a warm, windproof jacket, and wear shoes with good grip: Visit Norway warns of icy, slippery roads at this time of year.
What may differ
Some winters are much colder than the normal: in January 2024 Oslo (Blindern) averaged −5.6 °C and dropped to −23.1 °C on 6 January, and the snow depth peaked at 52 cm on 19 February.
People also ask
- What is Oslo like in winter?
- What should I wear in Oslo in winter?
Sources
- Yr: Oslo (Blindern) weather statisticsChecked at:
- Visit Norway: Winter in NorwayChecked at:
- Visit Norway: Oslo in winterChecked at:
- Visit Oslo: Cross-country skiing in OsloChecked at:
- Yr: Oslo (Blindern) weather statistics, 2024Checked at:
Information checked on 15 October 2026; normals are 30-year averages, and any single winter can be colder or milder.
Cross-country skiing in Nordmarka by metroRelated 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.