🚗❄️ Roads, weather and safety in Norway: practical life hacks for hunting the Northern Lights
A trip to see the awe-inspiring Northern Lights is an unforgettable experience! Brace yourself for a thrilling adventure where temperatures can drop to a chilling -25°C, strong winds sweep across the landscape, snow-covered roads add a touch of magic, and unexpected blizzards create a magical wonderland. In this article, we'll tell you everything you need to know to make your trip to Norway a success! We'll tell you how to prepare, what to take with you, how to avoid weather traps and ensure maximum comfort and safety on Norway's winter roads.
🥶 How to avoid frostbite during a long wait for the aurora (3+ hours)
Waiting for the Northern Lights is always an adventure, even when it means braving sub-zero temperatures for several hours. Here are some awesome tips to avoid frostbite:
✅ Wear layers:
● First layer (base): thermal underwear (merino wool or synthetic).
● Second layer (middle): fleece jacket or insulated sweater.
● Third layer (outer): high-quality jacket and trousers with a membrane (Gore-Tex).
✅ Essential accessories:
● Warm hat, buff or balaclava.
● Mittens or gloves (preferably down mittens or insulated gloves with a membrane).
● Warm insoles and thermal socks.
● Hand and foot warmers (disposable).
✅ Food and drink:
● Hot tea or coffee in a thermos.
● High-calorie snacks: chocolate, nuts, energy bars.
📌 Winter Equipment Checklist by Temperature Zone
| Temperature | Equipment & Tips |
|---|---|
| 0 °C … –10 °C | Thermal underwear, fleece, Gore-Tex jacket, medium-weight thermal socks, gloves. |
| –10 °C … –20 °C | All of the above + down jacket, insulated trousers, warm insoles, mittens with hand warmers. |
| –20 °C and below | Maximum insulation, double thermal socks, multi-layered footwear, continuous warmers, balaclava. |
🚧 Road conditions and car rental tips
Winter roads in Norway require extra caution:
● 🚗 Choose a car with winter studded tyres.
● 🔗 Always carry snow chains and know how to use them.
● 🛣️ Check road conditions on the official website Vegvesen.no.
● 🌨️ Avoid driving at night on unfamiliar routes during snowfall or blizzards.
🌨️ What to do if the road is closed due to a snowstorm?
Road closures are common in Norway during winter. What to do:
- Check the Vegvesen.no website and the Yr.no app before setting off.
- Have a plan B: alternative routes and backup accommodation.
- If the road closes suddenly:
○ Don't panic, stop at the nearest town.
○ Go to the nearest petrol station or café to find out what is happening.
○ Use mobile apps to find the nearest accommodation (Booking, Airbnb).
🗺️ Map of "dark" locations for viewing the aurora around Tromsø (without light pollution)
Tromsø is known for light pollution, but there are some great spots around the city where you won't see any background light:
● 🌑 Kvaløya Island — Fjellheisen, Kattfjordeidet (20–40 minutes from the city).
● 🌑 Sommarøy — an island village, 1 hour's drive from Tromsø.
● 🌑 Ringvassøya — minimal light, excellent conditions (45 minutes).
● 🌑 Ersfjord — a picturesque fjord, a popular observation spot (30 minutes).
📌 Tip:
Mark locations on the map in advance and download offline maps to the app.
🚦 How not to get lost at night on unfamiliar roads?
- Make sure you always download offline maps (like Maps.me or Google Maps).
- Don't just rely on your car's satnav. Take a power bank with you so your phone doesn't run out of battery.
- Let your family and friends know which route you're taking and when you expect to get back.
💡 Light pollution and how it affects aurora viewing
Street lights can make the aurora less bright and contrasty. To get the best view, choose a place that is far from other people (at least 10–20 km away).
Use apps to find dark areas (Light Pollution Map).
🏕️ Warming points and night cafes in the Tromsø area
If you are cold or need help at night, here are some places where you can warm up and recover:
● ☕ Circle K (petrol stations are open 24/7 throughout the region).
● 🍔 Burger King in the centre of Tromsø (until 1:00 a.m.).
● 🥐 Kaffebønna Storgata (until 11:00 p.m.).
❄️ Emergencies: what to do if you are stranded or your car breaks down on the road?
● 📞 Call the emergency services (telephone number in Norway: 112).
● 🛑 Do not leave your car unless absolutely necessary.
● 🔦 Always keep an emergency kit in your car:
○ Food and water supplies
○ Warm blankets and clothing
○ Flashlight and extra batteries
○ First aid kit and first aid supplies
🧣 Tips for emergency warming in case of hypothermia
If you feel hypothermia or frostbite:
● Immediately go indoors or into a vehicle.
● Change wet gloves and socks for dry ones.
● Drink hot tea or broth.
● Avoid alcohol and coffee (they promote heat loss).
📲 Apps that help in difficult situations
| App | What it’s for |
|---|---|
| Yr.no Weather | Weather & precipitation radar, storm warnings for your area. |
| Vegvesen.no Roads | Live traffic, road closures, mountain pass conditions & webcams. |
| Maps.me Offline | Offline maps for roads & hiking routes when there’s no signal. |
| Norway Lights Aurora | Northern Lights forecast and light-pollution overview. |
🎯 Summary and key tips:
● Dress in layers.
● Check the roads and weather in advance.
● Choose dark locations without light pollution.
● Have a plan in case of bad weather or road closures.
💬 Share your experience!
Have you ever been in extreme situations while chasing the aurora? I'm so excited to hear how you dealt with safety and comfort issues. We would absolutely love to hear your tips and stories in the comments!
We can't wait to share the best of them with you in our next articles! 🌌🚘❄️
