Cookie Consent by Free Privacy Policy Generator
5.8 C
Oslo
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Heat wave lets up, cold in the North

The high temperatures that have left many in Southern Norway sweltering in recent weeks were due to decline this week. Cooler weather was already setting in Monday, but there’s still no rain in sight.

Folks were heading back to the swimming area here at Sørengen in the Oslo fjord this weekend, after it was closed because of an oil spill last week. PHOTO: Oslo S Utvikling

Thermometers hit nearly 32C (90F) on Sunday afternoon, with Hakadal just north of Oslo registered as the warmest spot in the country with an official reading of 31.9. With the sun beating down, it felt much warmer and many thermometers were showing readings of over 32C.

The hot weather has begun causing problems, forcing water restrictions in many communities including the City of Oslo. Students in Fredrikstad had to be sent home from the Haugeåsen Junior High School last week when the building’s air conditioning system broke down, leading to indoor temps of more than 30C and poor air quality. That was enough to postpone year-end exams in several classes.

Fire danger remains at its highest level, leading to bans on any outdoor use of charcoal grills. Several retail chains have stopped selling them, after police reported that far too many residents were ignoring the bans and risking forest fires. Some train routes were also cancelled because sparks from their wheels were setting off fires along the tracks.

Both Oslo and Bergen have been setting temperature records almost every day, with meteorologists also reporting the warmest May ever, at least in Southern Norway. In Northern Norway temperatures have remained low, with wind, rain and even some snow. More was predicted this week, with residents from Vardø in the northeast to Tromsø in the northwest shivering with single-digit temperatures and story weather.

Residents in the south were due for more relief from the recent heat, with state meteorologist Terje Alsvik Walløe predicting that temperatures would drop by a much as 10 degrees between Sunday and Tuesday.

“There will still be a lot of fine weather, but it won’t be so hot,” Walløe said, predicting temps of 25C in and around Oslo on Monday and down to 20 on Tuesday, then back up to the mid-20s. The West Coast was also due to remain in the mid 20s but the weather may turn downright chilly in Trøndelag. Walløe said temperatures may fall to as low as 10C (50F) this week.

newsinenglish.no/Nina Berglund

LATEST STORIES

FOR THE RECORD

For more news on Arctic developments.

MOST READ THIS WEEK

Donate

If you like what we’re doing, please consider a donation. It’s easy using PayPal, or our Norway bank account. READ MORE