Norway Weather in October 2025: Travel Tips for First-Timers

October turns cool, cloudy, and rainy throughout most of southern Norway at low elevations, and cold, dark, and snowy in the north. The northern highlights include auroras, and the southern highlights are the last of the autumn colors, outdoors activities, and the cultural and urban experiences. Tourism is low in October.

Read on for our weather information and travel advice including average temperatures and rainfall, places to go, and travel tips…

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• 1. Weather Overview
• 2. Best Places to Visit
• 3. Crowds and Costs
• 4. What to Wear

Norway Weather in October: Overview

Averages:

• Temperature range: 4–10°C (40–49°F)
• Total rain/snow: 16 cm (6 inches)
• Days with rain/snow: 16
• Humidity: 80%
• Sunshine hours/day: 3 hours

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October Climate Comparison (Averages) for Norway's Top Tourism Areas

In October, most of Norway at the low elevations has cool temperatures during the day, cool or cold temperatures at night, and moderate rainfall or snowfall. The weather turns chilly and gloomy, but you can see auroras. You could tour the cities and countryside and hike as the weather permits.

Southern region: Oslo, Bergen, and other big cities near the south coast are located at about 60° degrees latitude. The average high at low elevations is about 11°C (52°F). The average humidity is about 75%. The average nightly low is 4°C (40°F).

Northern region: The tourist towns such as Tromsø and Bodø near/within the Arctic Circle are north of latitude 66°, where you could see auroras. Daylight and extended twilight provide light for outdoor activities such as arctic hiking. The average daily highs are about 5°C (41°F) or lower depending on the latitude.

The Best Places to Visit in Norway in October

Touring in October features cool or cold daylight. The south only gets an average of 10 hours of daylight. The weather is good for touring the cities with countryside and wilderness excursions as weather permits. In the Arctic Circle, see epic scenery and the northern lights while it isn't very cold.

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1. Oslo — Experience the Nature and Visit the Highlights

Norway's capital and biggest city has an average daily high of 9°C (48°F) in October and an average of 10 hours of daylight. Many days have mild temperatures, and the average 3 hours of daily sunshine is a cheery bonus. The average low is 4°C (39°F). You could enjoy outdoor and urban highlights.

The rainfall is moderate and falls about 11 days each October. When it is rainy, you could go to museums and castles such as the Viking Ship Museum or Akershus Fortress. There are two military museums inside the fortress park area. You could also book a cruise that embarks from Oslo.

Oslo has popular places to hike close by. From the Frognerseteren metro station, you could walk to a cabin at Skjennungstua and walk back in about 3 hours. Convenient transport and cabins for shelter are a plus. Marka Forest has many places to hike, and you can see the auroras there.

2. Lillehammer — Enjoy Hiking, Autumn Colors, and Early Snow at the Winter Sports Resort Town

Lillehammer is the best ski resort area in Norway and is only 2 hours from Oslo. It was the site of the 1994 Winter Olympics and retains the resorts and facilities from that time. You could enjoy some hiking and see some early snowfall while prices are low.

October is before the start of ski season. The autumn colors are generally most brilliant in October, and tourism and crowding is relatively low, so it is a good time to visit for hiking excursions and recreation at relatively low prices. The Jazz Festival is held in October.

The average daily high temperature is cold, 7°C (45°F), and the low is near freezing, 1°C (34°F). There is moderate rainfall, and it snows in the national parks around Lillehammer such as Rondan and Langsua. It is an agricultural region, and you can enjoy eating the harvest and locally-grown cuisine.

3. Stavanger — See the Fjords and Countryside with Fall Colors

The strong, warm Gulf Stream current keeps the cold at bay in the Stavanger area, and you can hike and see the scenery in low season before tourists crowds arrive in December. The fjords and slopes are covered with colorful autumn foliage.

You could see the beautiful spectacle on a cruise boat or while hiking. The weather is good enough for hiking since the average daily highs are 12°C (54°F), the lows are 6°C (43°F), and there are 3 hours of sunshine on average for added warmth.

You could hike the famed Pulpit Rock path and other places in Lysefjord. If the weather is inclement, you could stroll in the Old Town to see the colorful houses and buildings, visit the museums, and shop. The rainfall is moderate in October, and tourism prices are relatively low.

4. Longyearbyen — Enjoy the Northern Lights and the Exotic Extreme North while the Weather Isn't Harsh

Longyearbyen is the northernmost town in the world, and in October, the weather isn't as extremely frigid as you would expect since the Gulf Stream brings in warm water from the tropics. In October, the average daily high is -4°C (28°F), and the average low is -9°C (16°F).

There are about 5 or 6 hours of daylight on average, and a half an hour of sunshine. It snows about 21 days each October. It is pleasant to visit the town when there are relatively fewer tourists in moderate tourism season. The sun stays low or below the horizon.

There are tours to go to watch the auroras. You could experience a dog sled ride and see the glaciers. A more relaxing thing to do is dine in the various restaurants and see the soft and colorful sunrise merge with the sunset and twilight.

Crowds and Costs for Traveling in October

October might be the month when there is the least tourism in most of Norway. The cold, wet, gloomy, and changeable weather keeps people inside and tourists away. The Norwegians are busy at work and school, and there are no public holidays in October.

So prices are relatively low, and the land is more peaceful. The long nights might let you see the auroras in the south and in the Arctic Circle. October is a good month for touring Norway in warm cruise ships and seeing the colors of fall in the fjords.

Hiking and being outdoors aren't as pleasurable due to moderate/heavy rainfall, short daylight, and little sunlight. When the weather is good, you could still hike, see the fall colors, and enjoy the outdoors, and you could enjoy urban touring and relaxing in country towns.

For comparison, Oslo has an average of less than 9 hours of daylight by the end of October, while Longyearbyen gets 5 or 6 hours on average, and their daylight declines quickly to 0 by October 26.

Bergen gets high rainfall, and rain falls almost every day there. Of the various urban destinations, Oslo is one of the driest.

There are no national holidays in October.

What to Wear in October

In October, the tourist areas in the Arctic Circle have unpredictable weather, and there is snowfall at times. You can be the most comfortable by dressing in layers and bringing raingear wherever you go in Norway. Bring a coat and keep watch on the weather reports.

Here is a packing list for a few essentials in Norway:

• Comfortable shoes with good traction
• Warm waterproof boots with good traction for the outdoors. You might wear them in-flight to travel lightly.
• Coat and warm hat
• Rain gear
• Swimwear for hot springs and spas
• Cardigans or thermals
• Some summer clothes
• Polarized glasses
• Gloves

Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Norway

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