gowhereandwhen.comGo in summer, June to August, for the fjords, hiking and the midnight sun. For the northern lights, come late September to March, when the northern nights are long and dark. Winter is cold, but the aurora makes up for it.
A 0 to 100 comfort rating from daytime heat, overnight chill, rainfall and storm risk, for Oslo. Higher is better. Some booking links earn us a commission, at no extra cost to you.
The steadiest weather, peaking around Jun.
Other months to compare; prices and crowds depend on your destination and dates.
Hard cold.
The year at a glance
Norway is a country of two great seasons. The month ratings track Oslo, but the draw is the coast and the mountains: summer for the fjords under near-endless daylight, winter for snow and the aurora in the Arctic north.
Summer, from June to August, is mild, green and busy, with the midnight sun above the Arctic Circle and every road and ferry running. Winter, from late September to March, brings the northern lights, dog-sledding and skiing, with the far north in polar darkness around midwinter.
Norway month by month
Highs, lows, rainfall and the rating, for Oslo.
JanuaryFreezing and dry.Avoid 17
- Daytime high
- -1°C / 30°F
- Overnight low
- -6°C / 21°F
- Rainfall
- 49 mm
Freezing and dry.
FebruaryFreezing and dry.Avoid 17
- Daytime high
- 0°C / 32°F
- Overnight low
- -6°C / 21°F
- Rainfall
- 36 mm
Freezing and dry.
MarchCold and dry.Avoid 20
- Daytime high
- 4°C / 39°F
- Overnight low
- -3°C / 27°F
- Rainfall
- 47 mm
Cold and dry.
AprilCool and dry.Good 53
- Daytime high
- 10°C / 50°F
- Overnight low
- 1°C / 34°F
- Rainfall
- 41 mm
Cool and dry.
MayCool and dryIdeal 83
- Daytime high
- 16°C / 61°F
- Overnight low
- 6°C / 43°F
- Rainfall
- 53 mm
Cool and dry.
JuneMild with a little rainIdeal 92
- Daytime high
- 20°C / 68°F
- Overnight low
- 10°C / 50°F
- Rainfall
- 65 mm
Mild with a little rain.
JulyMild with a little rainIdeal 86
- Daytime high
- 22°C / 72°F
- Overnight low
- 13°C / 55°F
- Rainfall
- 81 mm
Mild with a little rain.
AugustMild with a little rain.Ideal 83
- Daytime high
- 21°C / 70°F
- Overnight low
- 12°C / 54°F
- Rainfall
- 89 mm
Mild with a little rain.
SeptemberCool with a little rain.Ideal 77
- Daytime high
- 15°C / 59°F
- Overnight low
- 8°C / 46°F
- Rainfall
- 76 mm
Cool with a little rain.
OctoberCold with a little rain.Good 49
- Daytime high
- 9°C / 48°F
- Overnight low
- 3°C / 37°F
- Rainfall
- 84 mm
Cold with a little rain.
NovemberCold with a little rain.Avoid 17
- Daytime high
- 3°C / 37°F
- Overnight low
- -1°C / 30°F
- Rainfall
- 73 mm
Cold with a little rain.
DecemberFreezing with a little rain.Avoid 16
- Daytime high
- 0°C / 32°F
- Overnight low
- -4°C / 25°F
- Rainfall
- 55 mm
Freezing with a little rain.
Where you go changes when you go
The fjords and the west
Bergen, Geiranger and the great fjords are at their best from late spring to early autumn, with May to September the prime window.
Tromso and the Arctic north
Northern lights from late September to March, midnight sun in summer. Cold, dark winters are the aurora season.
Oslo and the south
Mild summers with long evenings and lake swimming, cold but bright winters with a festive feel.
Best time to visit Norway for
The fjords
June to August for the warmest, longest days, open mountain roads and every ferry and cable car running.
Northern lights
Late September to March in the Arctic north around Tromso, on clear, dark nights away from town.
Midnight sun
June and July above the Arctic Circle, when the sun never fully sets.
Skiing and dog-sledding
December to March, deep in the snowy winter, across the mountains and the north.
What is on, and when
Midnight sun, June to July
Above the Arctic Circle the sun stays up around the clock, opening endless summer days.
Northern lights, Sep to Mar
The aurora dances over the Arctic north on clear winter nights.
Watch out
Hard cold
Nov to Mar.
Where to stay in Norway
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Good to know
What is the best time to visit Norway?
When can you see the northern lights in Norway?
Are the fjords worth visiting in winter?
Where else, and when
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