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Friends walking in an orchard in Hardanger in Vestland County, Norway

Friends walking in an orchard in Hardanger.
Photo: Øystein G. Haara/Visit Hardangerfjord

Spring in Norway

From March to May, the days get longer and the weather gets warmer all over the country. Melting snow creates natural waterfalls everywhere, and blooming flowers – and smiling people – make spring in Norway a remarkable experience.

The Norwegian spring is probably the hardest season to define. Some years it comes early, other years late, sometimes it’s hot, and sometimes chilly well into what’s supposed to be the summer months. While many people consider the spring equinox around March 20 to be the first day of the season, spring may actually start in late February in some parts of the country.

Although meteorologists insists that spring starts March 1, plenty of people head to the mountains during Easter week for a final week of winter and spring skiing.

In any case, the flowers are sure to be blooming in May, and so are the Norwegians. Nature is bursting forth all around – trees and flowers are waking to life, and the melting snow in the mountains swells waterfalls, rivers and lakes. The blossoming fruit trees along the Hardangerfjord are an unforgettable sight.

There is a word for the joyful feeling that makes your heart beat a bit faster this time of year: We call it Springfulness! One of the best places in the world to experience it is in the Norwegian fjords.

Thanks to the many public holidays in May – Norway’s national day on the 17th of May being the most fun – Norwegians get to really appreciate the season.

All in all, spring is a fickle mistress. Although you might wake up to a sudden final day of snow well into April, you’re also sure to get days warm enough for utepils – a cold beer that's enjoyed outdoors on a sunny day. Spring is the perfect time for a city break, with plenty of both indoor and outdoor fun. Remember to bring good shoes!

Many Norwegian cities are cosy and compact, and can easily be covered on foot. Check out some excellent routes for experiencing Norway's biggest cities in 10,000 steps.

Seasonal food and drink

Spring is the time for lamb dishes, usually eaten around Easter. The first potatoes, asparagus and wild garlic of the year are a treat that will leave many Norwegian foodies weak at the knees. The same is true of fresh fish of all sorts, including herring and the renowned Atlantic cod from the Lofoten and Vesterålen area, the skrei.

Closer to summer, rhubarb and salads appear in all their leafy glory. This is also the time to (literally) enjoy the fruits of the autumn harvest, when you can drink world-class Cider and apple juice outside in the sun.

Local weather and climate

Spring usually arrives earlier in Southern Norway than the rest of the country, usually sometime in April. It is easy to know when spring is coming: the days get a little warmer and grow lighter day by day. Spring flowers appear, the trees begin to bud, birds start to build their nests, and farmers help deliver newborn lambs.

In early spring, the coastal areas of Fjord Norway typically have the highest temperatures. However, in May, the warmest weather is often found in the southern part of Eastern Norway and Southern Norway.

Above the Arctic Circle in Northern Norway, you may not experience true spring until late May or early June, but by then the long and bright summer days have already started, giving you more hours of daylight.

Just as spring arrives later in the north than in the rest of the country, it also arrives at the coast and in the lowlands long before creeping up into the mountains. When you travel in the mountains, the changes in altitude mean that you can also see the scenery change from winter to spring and from spring to winter, in the space of just a few hours.

Weather forecast

Check the weather in your area with Yr, a weather forecast delivered by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). Download Yr’s free weather app for iOS or Android.

The children's parade in Oslo on 17 May.
Photo: Asgeir Helgestad / Visitnorway.com

Springtime skiing in Fjord Norway.
Photo: Skiinformarmatie.nl

Friends sitting by the docks in Oslo.
Photo: Maverix/Visitnorway.com

Spring in Sogndal.
Photo: Vegard Aasen

View of the children's parade with hundreds of Norwegian flags in Oslo on 17 May, Norway’s national day

A group skiing in the mountains in Fjord-Norway in spring

Two friends sitting at Festningskaia in Oslo, Norway

Spring in Sogndal in Vestland County, Norway

How to dress for spring in Norway

When it comes to dressing for the weather in March, April, and May, don’t trust your own eyes – by the time you’ve put your jacket on and tied your shoelaces, the weather may have changed for the worse. Or the sky may have cleared.

The weather can change quickly in Norway, especially in the mountains, so bring good footwear and warm clothes no matter what the conditions are like when you set out. Spring weather is especially unpredictable, so make sure you dress in layers and are prepared for both sun and rain, and even snow. As we say in Norway – wool is cool.

If you’re out seeing the city sights, it's a good idea to bring along an umbrella (unless it’s very windy.) If you are exploring nature, however, you should bring a rain jacket or windbreaker instead. Either way, you’ll probably want to wear your sunglasses, and remember to apply sunscreen if you’re spending time in the sun, especially in the mountains where there is still snow on the ground. The white snow reflects the sun, which can quickly cause sunburn.

Local weather and climate

Spring arrives early in Southern Norway compared to the rest of the country, usually sometime in April. It is easy to know when spring is coming: The days get a little warmer and lighter day by day. Spring flowers appear, the trees are budding, birds start to build their nests, and the farmers deliver the newborn lambs.

In early spring the coastal areas of Fjord Norway usually has the highest temperatures, but in May you will usually find the warmest weather in the southern part of Eastern Norway and Southern Norway.

Above the Arctic Circle in Northern Norwayyou may not experience true spring until late May or early June, but by then the long and bright summer days have already started, so you might not care so much.

Just like spring arrives later in the north than in the rest of the country, it gets to the coast and lowlands long before it crawls up the mountains. As you travel up or down the mountains, you can follow the changing seasons from winter to spring or from spring to winter, all in just a few hours.

Weather forecast

Check the weather in your area with Yr, a weather forecast delivered by the Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation (NRK). Download Yr’s free weather app for iOS or Android.