🌦️🕰️Weather, seasons and biorhythms in Norway: how to work in tune with nature
The climate of the land of fjords is not just rain and ‘Insta-aurora’. Here, schedules and productivity are truly adapted to the light, wind, and water. This guide covers work rhythms for polar days and nights, northern lights ‘windows,’ how to survive fellesferie without downtime, and what to wear to go straight from the office to the trail.
🌞❄️ Polar day in the Arctic capital: how to set your work rhythm
☀️ Light is your alarm clock, not your calendar
- Set ‘anchors for the day’: fixed windows from 9:30 to 11:30 and 14:00 to 16:00 for deep work.
- Darkens your bedroom: blackout curtains/mask + a ‘circadian’ alarm clock with gradual sunrise.
- In the evening — warm light and a ‘digital curfew’ 60–90 minutes before bedtime.
- The polar day in Tromsø lasts approximately from 18 May to 25 July — without sunset, so the external ‘darkness’ will not tell your body when it is time to rest.
👥 Team in other time zones
- Combine synchronous calls into one ‘bridge’ in the middle of the day.
- Everything else is asynchronous: short notes, meeting notes, checklists.
🚶♀️ Walks as a concentration vitamin
- Mini ritual: 15–20 minutes of daylight between sprints — ‘light therapy’ without a lamp.
- Light exercise (stairs/a block around the neighbourhood) — and back to focus.
🌌❄️ Polar night and ‘winter hibernation’: maintaining productivity in the North and in the capital region
🚶♀️☀️ Light and movement — basic protocol
- Morning: 10,000 lux lamp at your workplace for 20–30 minutes + a short workout.
- During the day: go outside in small doses during the twilight window (even 10–15 minutes helps).
- Evening: warm light, minimal blue light.
- In Tromsø, the polar night lasts from 27 November to 15 January, with a ‘blue’ twilight window during the day. A 10,000 lux lamp is a standard light therapy tool (general recommendations; not a substitute for medical advice).
Important: this is a lifestyle overview, not medical advice. If you experience persistent seasonal depression, consult your doctor.
🛠️🕰️ Working techniques
- Difficult tasks — in the morning/afternoon, phone calls — at dusk.
- Sprints 35–45 minutes, with ‘micro-light’ and water/tea in between.
- On stormy days: follow the yellow/orange/red MET warnings (yr/Varsom) and adjust your trips accordingly.
✨🌌 Northern lights and work: how to combine
When to go
The peak viewing period is late August to early April, with the ‘darkest’ months being October to February. The best time to see the aurora is 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. For business trips, choose cities with good transport links and infrastructure: Tromsø, Alta, Lofoten.
How to organise your day
- Work during the day, ‘aurora window’ in the evening 21:00–02:00.
- Take a 30–40 minute nap around 19:00 to avoid ‘burning out’.
- Plan B for cloudy weather: ready-made locations 20–40 minutes from the city (darker/drier).
Mini aurora nomad kit
Warm layers, windproof shell, thermos, headlamp, power bank, tripod/glove liners, in the city — reflectors (preferably marked CE EN17353).
🏖️ Fellesferie: what changes in summer
The rhythm of the country
In July, a significant number of offices and production sites ‘slow down’ — a tradition known as fellesferie: usually three weeks in July (weeks 28–30), recommended by professional and industry associations; not a legal requirement, but widely practised. Plan your arrangements in advance.
What does this mean for work/remote working
Pros: more daylight, half-empty offices and co-working spaces.
Cons: more expensive accommodation in peak locations, slower responses from contractors.
🧥🎒 Layers of clothing: from the office straight to the trail
The three-layer principle
- Base layer (next to the skin): merino wool 150–200 g/m² all year round, 200–250 g/m² in winter.
- Insulation: fleece/wool (thin for the office, thick for wind/evenings).
- Outer layer: membrane jacket/trousers (waterproof + windproof).
Footwear and accessories
- Urban waterproof trainers or track trainers; in winter — anti-slip pads.
- Backpack 18–22 l: light hat/gloves, buff, backpack cover, dry socks.
- In autumn/winter — reflectors: preferably two at knee/shin level — this makes them more visible.
✅📋 Quick checklists
| Block | Checklist |
|---|---|
| Polar Day — routine | Blackout curtains / sleep mask |
| Two deep focus “anchors” | |
| Evening warm light & digital detox | |
| Polar Night — productivity | Morning light (10,000 lux lamp, 20–30 min) |
| Day walk in the light window | |
| Sprints 35–45 min + warm evening light | |
| Aurora hunt after work | Window 21:00–02:00 + short nap |
| Dark-sky locations 20–40 min from city | |
| Layers, thermos, headlamp, power bank, reflectors CE EN17353 (Trygg Trafikk) | |
| Office → hike in 90 minutes | Base (merino) + fleece in backpack |
| Shell jacket / pants | |
| Waterproof shoes, hat / gloves | |
| Loop trail near home / metro |
Befriend the light, don't fight it: fixed focus points on polar days, warm light and light therapy on polar nights, clear windows for the aurora and reasonable expectations from fellesferie. Add a layered backpack, and the transition from ‘office to trail’ is no longer a quest.
❓ FAQ
Light becomes your main guide, not the calendar. Set fixed “anchors” (e.g., 09:30–11:30 and 14:00–16:00 for deep tasks), darken your bedroom with blackout curtains and use a circadian alarm clock. In the evening — warm light and no gadgets 60–90 minutes before sleep.
Start your morning with a 10,000 lux lamp and a short workout. During the day, go outside for at least 10–15 minutes in the twilight window. In the evening, use warm light and avoid blue light. Work in 35–45 minute sprints, alternating with “micro-light” breaks and water/tea.
The aurora season runs from late August to early April. The peak months are October–February, with the best viewing hours between 18:00–02:00. Plan your work trips during this period to combine productivity and aurora hunting.
Choose towns with infrastructure and good connectivity (Tromsø, Alta, Lofoten). Keep backup spots 20–40 minutes outside the city, where skies are darker and weather is drier.
Take a 30–40 minute nap around 19:00 to stay awake for the aurora window. The next day, put complex tasks in the morning and move calls closer to dusk.
Base layer — merino wool, mid-layer — light fleece/wool, outer layer — membrane jacket and pants. This setup is comfortable indoors and protective outdoors.
Essentials: light hat, gloves, buff, dry socks, rain cover for backpack. Always carry two reflectors (ideally at knee/shin level). In the evening — a thermos with tea and a headlamp.
Yes, in July many offices and services slow down — three weeks of traditional collective vacation (weeks 28–30). It’s not a law, but widely practiced. Plan ahead: contractors respond slower, accommodation is pricier, but offices and coworking spaces are half-empty.
