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Oslo
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Fog and warmth to give way to snow

Lots of areas in southern and central Norway reported record warm temperatures over the weekend, while an unusual fog settled over low-lying areas around Oslo. The respite from rain won’t last, though, and early snow is in the forecast.

This photo was taken Saturday near Krokkleiva on the edge of Krokskogen, northwest of Oslo, at an elevation of about 450 meters, just above the fog that blanketed lower elevations. PHOTO: Views and News

State meteorologists had been predicting the warm weekend weather but many Oslo residents were disappointed. The capital and most valleys in and around the Oslo Fjord were socked in with a fog so thick that visibility at sea and on the road was markedly reduced and some complained they could barely see across the street.

Up in the hills, however, the sun shone brightly and those heading out for a hike at higher elevations were rewarded with one of the warmest days since summer began. Temperatures were well over 22C in the sunshine (more than 70F) and visibility was crystal clear, with a blaze of fall colours enhancing the landscape in areas not hit by a fungus that has hit birch trees all over the country this year.

In the western and northern areas of the hills and forests surrounding Oslo, Krokskogen and Nordmarka, the weather and scenery were nothing short of spectacular. Views towards the west from a sunny peak in Krokskogen revealed an almost surreal panorama of high mountains in the distance, such as Norefjell and Vikerfjellet, poking up from the fog that blanketed local fjords and valleys.

Other areas of the country also enjoyed unseasonably warm weather for the first weekend in October. Røros, the historic if normally chilly inland mining town north of Østerdalen, reported its warmest October temperature in 140 years when the thermometer hit 21.2C, reported newspaper Aftenposten. That’s two full degrees higher than the last record, while Oppdal, Soknedal and Meråker broke records as well.

The warm spell is over, reported the meteorologists on Monday. Temperatures are expeced to fall eight to 10 degrees in areas east of the mountains (Østlandet) this week and nighttime temperatures will fall to around the freezing point. Daytime temps won’t go much above 5-6C (40F), Øyvind Johnsen of the state meteorological institute told Aftenposten.

Snow was expected in the mountains of Jotunheimen, Trollheimen and Langfjella, while Hardangervidda may also get a serious dusting. Rain predicted at lower elevations will fall as snow at elevations over 1,000 meters, Johnsen said, warning those spending the traditional høstferie (autumn holiday) in the mountains this week to be prepared for snow on the roads.

Some autumn storms were also due along the west coast. “A low pressure system that’s coming in over Norway is quite intense,” Johnsen said. “There will be gales and full storm over Vestlandet, and this will also have an effect up in the mountains.”

Views and News from Norway/Nina Berglund
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