How to prepare for the Norwegian weather
You may have an idea of Norway being a cold, desolate and frozen landscape for most of the time. And yes, it is true that Norway can be cold, but throughout the year the weather in Norway varies from cold winter nights to perfect summer days.
Written by
The Fjord Tours team
2 min readUpdated: Aug 27, 2026
Planning for the weather
As you might understand, the weather in Norway can be quite unpredictable and varies a lot throughout the year. It is never easy planning for the weather, but we have a saying here that goes “There is no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothes”. A bit of a cheesy phrase, but you can sum it up like so: “Dress according to the weather, and plan for all sorts of weather”!
The weather can change quite rapidly from blue skies and sun, to rain and wind in a matter of minutes. A back pack with warm extra clothes is always a good idea in Norway. And always, always remember to check the weather forecast in advance!
Smart things to bring:
Due to the some times unpredictable weather, it's always smart to think "layers" when packing for a trip to Norway. Irregardless of the season it will always be smart to bring:
- Waterproof hiking boots or shoes
- Waterproof jackets and pants
- A hat or beenie
- Long underwear
- Down jacket, gloves and scarfs
- Wool socks
- Sunglasses
A great source for checking the weather in Norway is Yr, the online weather service from the Norwegian Meteorological Institute. They also have an app for iOS and Android.
Come prepared and enjoy Norway!
Get to know the Norwegians
The typical Norwegian cherishes nature and embraces the great outdoors. Minimalist in design and lifestyle, they prioritize practicality. Norwegians honor heritage and folklore, fostering a vibrant, inclusive society that blends tradition with a modern, open-minded outlook while embracing sustainability.
Traditional Norwegian food
Norway has a lot of interesting traditional food, and any travelers visiting Norway would do well to sample some of the local cuisines. Culinary traditions in Norway have been dominated by meat, fish, and seafood that could be hunted or caught. These days the Norwegian food space represents an interesting mix of old and new due to culinary influences from all over the world.
Why Norway Is Perfect for Adventure Travelers
Norway is often referred to as a dream destination for adventure travelers. The varied Norwegian landscapes provide adventurers with a rich diversity of outdoor activities to choose from throughout the year, including hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, and rock climbing, to name a few. There's no shortage of thrilling experiences to be had in Norway's great outdoors!
The 17th of May – Norway’s National Day
The 17th of May is Norway’s national day — and what a party it is! While many countries mark their national day with military parades, Norway’s celebration is lighthearted and joyful, with a special focus on kids enjoying the festivities.
Why a Scanditour is the New Eurotour
Done the whole Eurotrip thing? Looking for some fresh insight into where your next travel adventure should be? Head over to Scandinavia, and Norway in particular.
What is ‘slow travel’ and why Norway ticks all the boxes
Have you ever felt more exhausted after a trip than before you left? Then you have probably done the exact opposite of slow travel! When slow traveling, there is no need for a vacation after your vacation.It is not about "likes" that generate hotspots on Instagram and overwhelmingly long bucket lists.
How to stay warm and cozy this winter
Anyone who has ever taken a trip to Norway during the winter season knows just how vicious the Norwegian winters have the potential to be. This is especially true for Northern Norway where you can find really cold temperatures. So how do Norwegians tolerate the cold and long winter? With the “philophy of koselig” of course.
Learn Norwegian words and phrases before your trip
If you’re planning a trip to Norway, you might be interested in learning a few Norwegian words and phrases. It can be really helpful to have some handy phrases up your sleeve for communicating with locals during your upcoming trip to Norway, so we’ve prepared a great guide that will help you learn the lingo before you arrive!
How can you travel eco-friendly in Norway?
Fjord Tours is Norway's largest tour and activity provider. As a sustainable travel agency, we take our commitment to more eco-friendly travel seriously. By focusing our impact on mainly four areas, we strive daily to make it easy for visitors to travel and explore Norway in a better way!
Traditional Norwegian food
Norway has a lot of interesting traditional food, and any travelers visiting Norway would do well to sample some of the local cuisines. Culinary traditions in Norway have been dominated by meat, fish, and seafood that could be hunted or caught. These days the Norwegian food space represents an interesting mix of old and new due to culinary influences from all over the world.
Why Norway Is Perfect for Adventure Travelers
Norway is often referred to as a dream destination for adventure travelers. The varied Norwegian landscapes provide adventurers with a rich diversity of outdoor activities to choose from throughout the year, including hiking, biking, skiing, kayaking, and rock climbing, to name a few. There's no shortage of thrilling experiences to be had in Norway's great outdoors!
The 17th of May – Norway’s National Day
The 17th of May is Norway’s national day — and what a party it is! While many countries mark their national day with military parades, Norway’s celebration is lighthearted and joyful, with a special focus on kids enjoying the festivities.
Why a Scanditour is the New Eurotour
Done the whole Eurotrip thing? Looking for some fresh insight into where your next travel adventure should be? Head over to Scandinavia, and Norway in particular.
What is ‘slow travel’ and why Norway ticks all the boxes
Have you ever felt more exhausted after a trip than before you left? Then you have probably done the exact opposite of slow travel! When slow traveling, there is no need for a vacation after your vacation.It is not about "likes" that generate hotspots on Instagram and overwhelmingly long bucket lists.
How to stay warm and cozy this winter
Anyone who has ever taken a trip to Norway during the winter season knows just how vicious the Norwegian winters have the potential to be. This is especially true for Northern Norway where you can find really cold temperatures. So how do Norwegians tolerate the cold and long winter? With the “philophy of koselig” of course.
Learn Norwegian words and phrases before your trip
If you’re planning a trip to Norway, you might be interested in learning a few Norwegian words and phrases. It can be really helpful to have some handy phrases up your sleeve for communicating with locals during your upcoming trip to Norway, so we’ve prepared a great guide that will help you learn the lingo before you arrive!
How can you travel eco-friendly in Norway?
Fjord Tours is Norway's largest tour and activity provider. As a sustainable travel agency, we take our commitment to more eco-friendly travel seriously. By focusing our impact on mainly four areas, we strive daily to make it easy for visitors to travel and explore Norway in a better way!
Read more about Norway’s seasons
Norway is different in every season. Read our guides to spring, summer, autumn and winter to find the best time for your trip.
Summer in Norway: Weather, midnight sun and outdoor experiences
The sun doesn't set. The fjords never close, the mountains are green, and Norway is fully alive. Summer is the season when everything lines up just right with long days, mild weather, and more to do than you can hope to fit in one trip.
In this guide, we share what to expect, what you should book in advance, and whether this is the right season for you.
Autumn in Norway: Weather, fall colors and quiet fjords
With fewer visitors than in summer, yet plenty of activities, experiences, and natural beauty, exploring Norway in autumn is highly recommended. The foliage on the mountainsides along the fjords changes color as the midnight sun begins to shorten.
Our guide will show you what autumn (or fall) has to offer and help you decide whether it's the right season for you to discover Norway.
Winter in Norway: Weather, snow and winter activities
Winter in Norway is a completely different kind of experience. Under optimal conditions, the northern lights can fill the sky in a matter of seconds. A frosty fog sits on the fjords, the mountains carry two or three meters of snow by January, and waterfalls freeze into columns of blue-white ice along the cliff walls.
In this guide, we'll cover what to expect, what to book in advance, and whether winter is the right season for you.
Spring in Norway: Weather, waterfalls and blooming landscapes
When spring comes to Norway, the glaciers melt in the mountains and gather in powerful waterfalls that thunder down the mountainsides. The apple trees bloom in the fjords, we celebrate the national day to the fullest, and the days start getting brighter.
In this guide, we'll go through what to expect, what you should book in advance, and whether spring is the best season for you.
Summer in Norway: Weather, midnight sun and outdoor experiences
The sun doesn't set. The fjords never close, the mountains are green, and Norway is fully alive. Summer is the season when everything lines up just right with long days, mild weather, and more to do than you can hope to fit in one trip.
In this guide, we share what to expect, what you should book in advance, and whether this is the right season for you.
Autumn in Norway: Weather, fall colors and quiet fjords
With fewer visitors than in summer, yet plenty of activities, experiences, and natural beauty, exploring Norway in autumn is highly recommended. The foliage on the mountainsides along the fjords changes color as the midnight sun begins to shorten.
Our guide will show you what autumn (or fall) has to offer and help you decide whether it's the right season for you to discover Norway.
Winter in Norway: Weather, snow and winter activities
Winter in Norway is a completely different kind of experience. Under optimal conditions, the northern lights can fill the sky in a matter of seconds. A frosty fog sits on the fjords, the mountains carry two or three meters of snow by January, and waterfalls freeze into columns of blue-white ice along the cliff walls.
In this guide, we'll cover what to expect, what to book in advance, and whether winter is the right season for you.
Spring in Norway: Weather, waterfalls and blooming landscapes
When spring comes to Norway, the glaciers melt in the mountains and gather in powerful waterfalls that thunder down the mountainsides. The apple trees bloom in the fjords, we celebrate the national day to the fullest, and the days start getting brighter.
In this guide, we'll go through what to expect, what you should book in advance, and whether spring is the best season for you.