Norway faces stark weather divide this week

Southern and eastern Norway will bask in sunshine and summer warmth this week, while the west braces for heavy rain and the north endures unpredictable swings, the Norwegian Meteorological Institute warns.

Temperatures in Sør- og Østlandet are expected to hover between 20°C and 25°C, with local peaks possibly higher on Wednesday and Thursday, according to duty meteorologist Pernille Borander. The region will remain largely dry with abundant sunshine.

Meanwhile, Vestlandet and Rogaland face persistent low-pressure systems bringing substantial rainfall. “It can simply pour down in places,” Borander said. Temperatures in inland areas like Voss may struggle to reach 13°C, while Ålesund is forecast at around 12°C on Monday.

Northern Norway will experience erratic conditions, with intermittent rain and fluctuating temperatures. Troms and Finnmark may see heavy downpours Tuesday evening and Wednesday, though overall precipitation is not expected to be extreme. Parts of Finnmark and Troms could briefly reach 20°C on select days.

Central Norway, including Trøndelag, will see little sustained warmth. Trondheim has recorded only three days above 20°C so far in July, with Wednesday and Thursday offering the best chances for similar temperatures this week.

The dry spell in the south and east has prompted a new wildfire warning for large areas. Borander noted that scattered afternoon showers would do little to alleviate drought conditions. “What vegetation really needs is proper rainfall—around 20 millimetres in a day—for a lasting effect,” she said.