Oslo features a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, pleasantly warm summers. The city experiences dramatic shifts in daylight, from long, bright summer days to short, dim winter afternoons. Rainfall is moderate and well-distributed, while the Gulf Stream’s influence keeps Oslo milder than many cities at similar latitudes.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Oslo’s climate is shaped by its northern latitude and proximity to the Oslofjord, resulting in four distinct seasons. Winters (December–March) are long, cold, and snowy, with average temperatures from -4°C to 0°C, and occasional cold snaps dropping below -15°C. Snow is common from late November to March, making Oslo a hub for winter sports and festive markets. Daylight is scarce in winter, with less than six hours on the shortest days, and skies are often cloudy.
Spring (April–May) brings rapidly increasing daylight and milder temperatures, but weather can be unpredictable, with lingering frosts and occasional snow in early April. By May, temperatures often reach 15–17°C, and parks bloom with flowers. Summers (June–August) are mild to warm, with average highs of 18–22°C and cool nights. Heatwaves can push temperatures above 25°C, but such days are rare. The city enjoys up to 18 hours of daylight in June, with 'white nights' when it never gets fully dark. Rainfall is moderate, with July and August among the wettest months, though showers are usually brief. Autumn (September–November) is cool and increasingly wet, with temperatures dropping from 15°C in September to near freezing by November. Colourful foliage and crisp air define the season, but rain and wind increase as winter approaches.
Oslo receives about 800–1,050 mm of precipitation annually, with no true dry season. Winds are generally moderate but can be brisk, especially in autumn and winter. The Oslofjord remains cold year-round, peaking at 17°C in late summer. The city’s weather can change quickly, so dressing in layers and checking forecasts is always recommended.
| Average climate data for Oslo, Norway | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -2 | -1 | 3 | 9 | 16 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 15 | 9 | 3 | -1 | 22 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -7 | -7 | -3 | 1 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 11 | 8 | 4 | -2 | -6 | -7 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 49 | 36 | 47 | 40 | 52 | 66 | 82 | 89 | 89 | 85 | 73 | 54 | 763 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 6 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 77 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 4 | 4 | 3 | 6 | 11 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 15 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 10 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 6 | 9 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 18 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Average UV index | 0 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
The best time to visit Oslo is from June to August, when temperatures are mild (18–22°C), daylight is at its longest, and the city is alive with festivals and outdoor activities. This period offers the most comfortable weather for sightseeing, hiking, and enjoying Oslo’s parks and waterfronts.
The least favourable time to visit is November to March, when Oslo is coldest, daylight hours are shortest, and snow or slush is common. While winter has a unique charm for those seeking snowy scenery and winter sports, outdoor exploration can be challenging due to cold, wind, and limited daylight.
Oslo has a continental climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, bright summers. The city experiences dramatic daylight changes, from short winter days to nearly 18 hours of summer sunlight.
Yes, snowfall is common from late November to March. Snow cover is usually reliable in winter, making Oslo a good destination for winter sports and festive markets.
In winter, Oslo has less than six hours of daylight, while in midsummer, the city enjoys up to 18 hours of daylight and 'white nights' when it never gets fully dark.
Rainfall is moderate year-round, but July and August are typically the wettest months. Autumn is also rainy, while spring tends to be drier and sunnier.
Pack thermal layers, a windproof coat, and insulated boots for winter. In summer, bring light layers, a rain jacket, and sun protection. Comfortable, water-resistant shoes are useful year-round.
Oslo is breezy, especially in autumn and winter, with winds strongest during storms. Humidity is moderate, highest in winter and lowest in summer, making cold air feel even chillier.
The Oslofjord is cold most of the year, peaking at 17°C in late summer. Swimming is possible in July and August, but the water remains brisk compared to southern Europe.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (21.6 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (-1.8 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 9.5 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (12.2 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-6.9 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 2.4 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (18 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (2.9 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 10 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is August (89.2 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (36 mm). Over the whole year there are 763.5 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is August (8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (4 days). Over the whole year there are 77 days of rain on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 18.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 6 h). Over the whole year there are 11.9 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 7.9 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 1 h). Over the whole year there are 4.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 5). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, November and December (UV index: 0). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.2.
