What is the weather like in Norway?
Climate types, temperatures and rainfall across Norway.
Short answer
Norway's coast has mild and wet weather, while inland areas get colder winters, warmer summer days and much less rain. The Gulf Stream makes the climate much milder than in Alaska or Siberia at the same latitude. In the 1991–2020 normal, Bergen gets nearly 2,500 mm of precipitation a year, about three times as much as Oslo.
Why
- Visit Norway explains that the Gulf Stream gives Norway a much milder climate than Alaska, Greenland and Siberia, which lie at the same latitude.
- Norway stretches from 57° to 78° north, so the climate ranges from a wet coastal climate in Fjord Norway to an Arctic climate with snow and cold in inland Northern Norway.
- In the 1991–2020 normal, January averages 2.6 °C in Bergen but −14.6 °C at Karasjok in inland Finnmark.
Details
Summer is the warmest season: July averages 17.7 °C in Oslo and 12.3 °C in Tromsø in the 1991–2020 normal, counting day and night. Visit Norway says summer days can reach 25 to 30 °C, especially in the south and in inland valleys. In winter, coastal temperatures usually stay around zero, while inland they can fall to between −10 and −20 °C.
Tip
Check the forecast on Yr for each place on your route rather than for one city, because the coast, the mountains and the north can have very different weather.
What may differ
Normals are 30-year averages, and a single season can differ a lot: MET Norway reports that winter 2025/2026 was 1.5 °C colder than normal, while 2025 was the warmest year ever recorded in Norway.
Common misconception
It rains all the time everywhere in Norway.
What actually happens
Rainfall varies a lot by region: in the 1991–2020 normal, Bergen gets nearly 2,500 mm a year, Oslo about 840 mm and Karasjok in Finnmark about 420 mm.
People also ask
- What kind of climate does Norway have?
- What climate zone is Norway in?
- What is the weather like in Norway all year round?
Sources
- Visit Norway: Seasons and climateChecked at:
- Yr: Weather statistics for Bergen (Florida station)Checked at:
- Yr: Weather statistics for Oslo (Blindern)Checked at:
- Yr: Weather statistics for Karasjok (Markannjarga)Checked at:
- MET Norway: New climate normal 1991–2020 from 2021Checked at:
Information checked on 15 October 2026.
Weather in Norway and what to wearRelated 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.