Norway's annual average snowfall total is 171cm. The table below shows the snow cover in Norway. Note that snowpack levels across Norway aren't reported during the off-season period.
Norway is bigger than the UK and has more climates. The very north is cooler than Scotland. Western Norway (Bergen-Ålesund) has a moderate humid coastal climate, be prepared for rain, the inner fjords have a more dry climate and mild summers.
Unsurprisingly, January in Norway is cold, but also often dry and sunny – nothing short of a winter wonderland. You will need to wrap up warm with an average high-temperature of 28.8°F (-1.8°C) and an average low-temperature of 19.8°F (-6.8°C). Warm waterproof winter boots are a must plus some thermal underwear.
The central parts of the country are always more snowsure than the coast, but Oslo and its surrounding areas often have snow at Christmas. The same applies to Northern Norway. The southern regions and Fjord Norway are more of a gamble – so you'll probably have to head inland to have a good shot at snow.
Most Norwegians have a reasonable level of English. You will find that you can speak English in most shops and restaurants, as well as in public offices and with service providers.
Areas just inland from the coast of western Norway experience the most precipitation. This zone of maximum precipitation is one of the wettest in Europe, and several sites in this region have normal annual precipitation of more than 3,500 mm.
On the surface, the UK is far better resourced than Norway, with around double the number of nurses and doctors per head, according to the OECD. However, the Commonwealth Fund's ranking of healthcare systems, based on access to care and overall performance, still ranks Norway in first place to our fourth.
The average cost of living in Norway is approximately 30% higher than in the United States. This difference is particularly evident in housing and everyday expenses. For example, rent for a comparable apartment in Oslo can be about double the cost of a similar apartment in major U.S. cities.
June, July and August are the best months to go to Norway for warmer temperatures and longer days. The warmest month in Norway is July, when there's the fabled midnight sun – ideal for hiking, cycling, kayaking and berry picking. Prices will be at a premium and midges buzz (and bite) around the marshlands.
The country is known for its mind-boggling fjords, lakes, soaring white mountains, emerald-green forests, urban excursions, and more. It is a perfect blend of remote quaint villages and bustling hubs. Known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun”, an experience unique to the country is the Northern Lights.
There is no national minimum wage in Norway. Instead, the minimum wage is set by collective bargaining agreements between employers, trade unions, and local authorities. This allows each sector to easily adapt to economic changes that impact that industry in particular.
Euro is not used in Norway. The Norwegian currency is Norwegian Kroner (NOK). 1 NOK is divided into 100 øre (cents). The Airport Express Train takes you from OSL (airport) to Oslo S (“Oslo Central Station” in English, and “Jernbanetorget (Oslo S)” in Norwegian).
The average salary in Norway is 59,370 Norwegian Kroner (NOK), about USD 5538. However, wages vary depending on experience, education, position, location, and industry.
Anyone registered as a resident in Norway has a right to access the Norwegian state healthcare system. State healthcare in Norway is not completely free. Healthcare costs are covered by both the state and through patient contributions (user fees).
The Norway housing market is somewhat competitive. The median sale price of a home in Norway was $270K last. The median sale price per square foot in Norway is $182, down 10.8% since last year.…
The majority of people in Norway — around 68% — are Christian and belong to the Evangelical Lutheran Church. There are several religious minority groups in Norway as well. Interestingly, research has demonstrated that Norway has a large non-religious population estimated at approximately 25% of Norwegians.
The The Foreign Service Institute (FSI) Language Classifications of the U.S. Department of State categorizes languages into different difficulty levels for English speakers. Norwegian is classified as a Category I language, indicating that it is among the easiest languages for English speakers to learn.
In Norwegian, “yes” is “ja”, and “no” is “nei”. If you're responding to someone who has asked you if you would like something or need anything, for example in a restaurant, it's polite to add “takk” after your response of yes or no.
