Norway - Weather
Norway Weather for Sailors
The coast of Southeast Norway has the warmest and driest weather as well as the coldest in winter. The weather in Western Norway is unreliable and generally wetter, although much milder in spring, autumn and winter.
In North Norway, winter air temperatures can persist even into July although in still weather, temperatures are raised by the long daylight hours and it can even be warmer than further south – 20+°C. It is a surprising fact that in the Lofoten Islands, the Gulf Stream keeps the mean temperature above freezing point in all months of the year and in July maximum temperatures reach well above 20degreesC.
Summer weather beyond the Arctic Circle, both in continental Norway and further north, is unreliable. Winds can be strong and the weather can change rapidly. Visibility can sometimes be poor, with low mist.
In winter, the SE coast regularly freezes over, but in the west Spring and Autumn both last a month longer and the temperature rarely falls below 0 C. Severe storms can occur between November and February.
Take local advice if planning to winter afloat.
Norway Weather Resources:
- Norwegian Meteorological Institute
- Norwegian Meteorological Institute Ice Coverage
- A detailed weather forecast is available in English at: https://www.yr.no/nb and https://www.storm.no/
- Use this online service at BuoyWeather.com to obtain a 2-day weather forecast for a chosen area.
- See this useful map of VHF channels for weather forecasts for Norway and Sweden.
- However, it is also possible to check on VHF ch 16 where they will advise which working channel they will broadcast the weather every day at 9:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 21:00 local time for your area.
For links to free global weather information, forecast services and extreme weather information see the Noonsite Weather Page.
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Clearance August 2024:
We tried to set up a SeaSafe account, but didn’t manage because it seems to be set up for professionals only. We arrived from Scotland without prior notice, then called +4702800. We were transferred to a border force officer, who informed us that we should have notified them by e-mail prior to coming to Norway. The e-mail address for arriving in Agder Province (Southern Norway) is: Agder.grensekontroll@politiet.no
No one needs to take a test before or after entering Norway. The info on here is dated.
Thanks for letting us know Steve – really helpful. Yes I see rules changed last week and we’ve updated the biosecurity section accordingly.
The best pilot guide we used was, in fact, an app downloaded to our iPad and phone: https://www.harbourguide.com.
Norway is very capable when it comes to gas refilling. We found that our existing UK Calor bottles could be refilled with Propane by a professional for the same or less than in the UK. We did not have to buy a Norwegian bottle.
Rorvik and Harstad are where we filled our bottles but it seems like you can do it in most major towns. This site is useful: https://www.mylpg.eu/stations/norway/
To be more precise phasing out is a process as I have explained here: http://59nord.pl/en/radio-2/
It will be finished at the and of the current year, so there is still a good chance that this season visitors to Norway may be able to use their FM receivers.
When it comes to weather forecasts I have elaborated on that here: http://59nord.pl/en/weather-forcast-on-nrk-radio/ and here: http://59nord.pl/en/marine-radio-weather-forecast/
I want to highlight that Norwegian radio has shut down their FM senders from 2017 and the only way to access public radio is by having Dab+ in your boat as this is the only transmission remaining.
To access weather, check VHF Ch 16 where they inform which working channel they will broadcast the weather every day at 9:00, 12:00, 15:00 and 21:00 local time.
Being Norwegian, I would like to expand on your statement about all shoreline being private (Restrictions section).
Few countries, if any, give a sailor better access than Norway. The public intention is to keep all shoreline within 100m open to the public. Deviations from this rule are unfortunately many. Some because of existing buildings when the law was passed, some because of too good lawyers. But the general rule is that you can freely use the shoreline.
You can anchor outside the private property. You can take your dinghy ashore anywhere that is not obviously private. You can spend the day at the shore, collect firewood, and pick berries. All this without asking anybody for permission.
Any “private” signs are most often illegal. With exceptions for the densely populated southeastern part of Norway, the vast majority of the shoreline is free to use.