Sudden snowfall brings sharp weather shift across Norway

A dramatic shift in weather conditions brought snow, sleet, and hail to eastern Norway on Saturday, ending a stretch of warm spring days, meteorologists report.

According to Dagbladet, a cold front sweeping down from Arctic regions has triggered winter-like conditions across much of the country. “We’ve seen a marked weather change over large parts of Norway,” said duty meteorologist Per Egil Haga. “Cold air masses from the north and northwest are pulling down over the country, bringing chilly air from the Arctic.”

Eastern Norway experienced a mix of sleet, snow, and hail showers on Saturday. One participant in Oslo’s Sentrumsløpet race described the sudden hail as “refreshing and cooling,” adding that temperatures remained comfortable for the event.

Haga noted that while snowfall in lowland areas is melting quickly due to relatively warm ground, higher elevations are seeing accumulation, creating a winter landscape. Northern regions, particularly Nordland and Troms, have received significant snowfall, accompanied by strong northerly winds.

The cold spell is expected to continue in the coming days, with scattered showers—including sleet and hail—interspersed with clearer periods. Temperatures will remain below seasonal averages, though no major disruptions are forecast for the Oslo area beyond occasional gusts.

The abrupt change follows a week of mild weather, heightening the contrast. “Overall, we’re looking at some rather wintry spring days ahead,” Haga said.

Meanwhile, southern and eastern inland areas face a yellow-level fire warning for dry grass and heather, effective until significant rainfall arrives. A similar warning applies to parts of western Norway and Rogaland. In contrast, northern regions from Trøndelag to Vest-Finnmark are under a yellow alert for snow, with authorities advising extra travel time and proper winter tires.