In all of Norway, November, December, and January are dark, yet southern Norway, unlike the north, sees the sun during the winter months. When arranging your days, keep in mind the limited daylight hours; however, the darkness might add to your winter experience in Norway. In the Norwegian countryside, you’ll view some fantastic stars at night, and in the north, longer nights mean increased chances of witnessing the Northern Lights! Check out Norskeanmeldelser.no to find out how Norwegians survive this dark period.
The sun doesn’t rise during Polar Night, which lasts from November through January. The days then increase longer and longer until the Midnight Sun period, which lasts from May through July, when the sun never sets. The days get shorter after the midnight sun until Polar Night, and the yearly cycle repeats. Please find out how they manage to get sun from Betakaroten.
Despite the city’s intense darkness, previous research has indicated that Norway people suffer from less winter depression than one might predict given the city’s long winters and high latitude. In fact, during the winter, the prevalence of self-reported depression in Norway, at 69°N, is the same as in Montgomery County, Maryland, at 41°N. While psychologists disagree about the best approach to recognize and diagnose wintertime depression, one thing is clear: residents of northern Norway appear to be able to avoid much of the wintertime misery reported elsewhere—including, ironically, in warmer, brighter, more southern locations.
Activities during Winter
In the winter, much of Norway changes into a snow-covered wonderland. This change means there are plenty of fun activities to do in the snowy terrain. Skiing has a unique position in Norwegian culture and history, and people of all ages flock to ski resorts, forests, and mountains to enjoy slick slopes and groomed trails during this new white season.
Many pleasant activities, like snowshoeing, dog sledding, and whale watching, can be done without skis. Perhaps you’d instead take a relaxing fjord tour, where you can take in views of snow-capped mountains reflected in the water? Winter is also a terrific time to travel by train and see some of the world’s most magnificent scenery. You can also visit gorgeous Christmas markets all around the country in November and December.
In this vast country, the weather and temperatures fluctuate considerably. Temperatures at the coast are generally around zero degrees Celsius. Inland temperatures are usually colder, reaching minus ten to minus twenty degrees Fahrenheit. In a few spots, it’s even possible to get a frosty minus forty degrees!
Winter evenings in Norway are long, and in parts of Northern Norway, the sun does not rise from mid-November to January end. The northern lights, on the other hand, may dance above your head. They are usually found in the north, but they have been sighted around Norway on rare occasions.
How to Dress during the Winter
Even if it isn’t always frigid, Norway’s winters can be brutal. As a result, how you dress for outdoor activities is determined by what you’re doing and where you’re doing it.
Layer your clothing to keep warm. Ensure you can protect yourself from getting wet and caught in the wind by wearing wool rather than cotton or polyester. In coastal places where rain is likely, a wind and waterproof jacket will come in handy. An oversized down jacket and snow leggings, along with thermal underwear, will keep you warm if you aren’t going to be highly active.
Also, keep in mind that the wind chill factor will make you feel much colder than the actual temperature, and this impact will worsen as the wind gets stronger. Hypothermia and frostbite aren’t far away if you’re wet — unless you’re well-prepared and equipped.
And don’t forget that the best time to master the noble art of kos is in the winter when there are plenty of candles and a pleasant crackle from the fireplace.