Even in Norway, the summer time can be hot. We’ve had 30C (86F) and more with sunny weather the last couple of weeks in the Oslo area. Even more: around 25C at night and that’s what we call it Tropical Summer :-) That’s not bad for a place located at 60 degrees north, which puts it roughly on the same latitude as Anchorage in Alaska, or the middle of Hudson Bay in Canada. The main reason for our relatively warm climate is The Gulf Stream which transports warm water and air from the Mexican Gulf, and makes the Norwegian climate much warmer than at similar latitudes elsewhere in the world. Adding to that, since it’s around summer solstice, the sun is up from around 3:45AM to 10:45PM -19 hours.
If you then have in mind that the sun is up only for 5 hours in mid winter and the temperature is around -10C, I guess you understand why Norwegians are crazy about taking advantage of this sunny, warm weather. So I take this opportunity again to show you a bit of our significant four seasons and why we love to be outdoors – out in the nature – all year around. Let me start with a season contrast at the very same spot on our favourite island, just 20 minutes from the city along the Oslo fjord (click all pics to bigify and enjoy):
By the beach at Kalvøya (Calf island) in the Oslo fjord, July 2009.
My regular readers may recall the very same spot from my post last winter (Snowy Frozen Paradise in Sunny Oslo Norway). I think it is as beautiful, but of course totally different scenery:
Kalvøya in February 2009.
I know you are convinced, but let me give you another example and start with winter this time:
Sunny beach day in March 2006.
The same beach in July 2009.
Walking around on this island with plenty of beaches and places for recreation, I had my Nokia N82 mobile phone handy to shoot some examples for this post. Even more; I had my blog business card and when I showed one and explained the reasons for my photo hunt, some were more than willing to show how they got an extra thrill on a sunny day like this:
Left: Bridge jumping. Right: Cliff Jumping. Water temperature: 23C (73F)
Let me end this significant change in seasons and weather report from one of the beaches at Kalvøya island starting in the winter time and then to summer time:
A beach at Kalvøya in January at sunset 4PM.
Same beach in July at 2PM.
Some ask if there is topless tanning in Norway and there is, but it’s not considered a big deal. I saw some around, but most of them who don’t like tan lines, are on the nude beach 5 minutes walk from the one above. I was there for a swim, but respectfully left my mobile phone cam where I put my clothes and I can tell you, it was a wonderful way to cool down on a hot summer day like this :lol:
Wow – love the photos. As for the topless beaches…well, lets just say that gravity is not my friend anymore so I prefer to keep my top on. Ahhhh to be young again (sigh..)
RennyBA
Perfect form or perfect age is not required – anyone can enjoy topless in Norway you know!
I always joke with my wife that Stockholm is 5C in the summer (I had a rather cold summer there) and it’s a heat wave! I guess Viking blood makes you tough :)
What a wonderful world we live in. The contrasts take your breath away, and I am very happy I get to experience all the seasons with you!
hi sweets pic i am to time going to norway but bad luck coming in india so pis reply me and friendship with meeeeeeeeeeeeee
I must say that I prefer the summer variety :-)
PS 33 degrees at our cottage today!
You’ve captured the contrast in climate very well. And what gorgeous scenery! But sometimes, summer in Norway is too hot for me. Hahaha!
It is amazing to get such a dramatic seasonal climate change in the span of 5 months. I guess when the sun shines 20 hours a day it warms up quicker. Very nice “then and now” pictures. Thank you very much.
Very nice, Renny. I had to laugh at your hot 86 degrees when my idea of hot is when our temp of 86 degrees is what we call comfortable weather.
Our dog days have peaked at 110 degrees but that’s not the all of it. We’ll see 115 degrees in the shade here shortly and it will last through the end of October or early November when the snow birds arrive. We wear as little as possible then again, I’m talking about California, the land of fruits, nutz, and granola bars.
^5!
one of the many reasons i love Norway :) warm in the summertime and snowy in the winter time perfect :)
Hey, the summer pictures look great! I am envious! Another cool, rainy day here!
The contrasts between the two seasons are so amazing.. Really I cannot even imagine the places to be the same, and they are… Just incredible really..
I don’t see too much differences where we are so, I guess one photo wouldn’t only shot night to light out?
How much fun you are having!
nice and good beach for summer and nice ficture
nice beaches n nice clicks Renny…..hope you are having a great weekend.
well sun meadows and beach, nice place to have week end
I think you’re having a very nice summer out there. Here in the Philippines, we only experienced a rainy and often visited by typhoon summer. Summer already ended here but I didn’t get a chance to visit the beach.
Oslo is simply amazing with the extremely opposite weather at some period of the year. Its summer now and at some point its frigid with snow.
I like your two July photos in this post – what a crowd!
Amazing contrasts! Lovely photographs as usual, Renny. You seem to appreciate all the seasons, me? I’m a hot house flower!
Nice summer in Oslo. In IBIZA topless is usually for everybody.
Wonderfull pictures Renny .
Norway its beutiful all year. Takk
Hard to believe it’s the same spot! It looks fun no matter when you’re there!
I love the winter snowy pics, Renny! Have a great weekend. :)
Heavenly photos from 60 degrees North.
Anna did swim at least 3 times this afternoon, while I did not.
Swim Suits are not compatible with my “Stomach” – not the seize but the reaction of wet textiles. So, you know, I’ve would ahve walked the 5 mitutes at Kalvøya;-))
In fact, I’m looking forward to more “normal” temperatures around 22-26 . in the 70’ies as they say in US.
The Heath the last weeks has left our Graden more or less to it self. The Cats are hiding in the Shadow, and my working effort has been pretty lazy.
btw. May we have the chance to meet before our journey to the South
I’ll have the results – you know on Monday afternoon.
I’ll call you.
hugs to you all from us here in the
Summerhouse.
ps. you might drop in if you have time
the BEACH : i’m jealous
I love these contrasts! If you don’t look carefully, you’d think they were completely different places, but they’re not. Beautiful.
Such a country of contrasts, Renny, but Norway is a beautiful place in winter and in summer. Too cold for me, but I do enjoy your photos. I think how lucky I am to be living in a subtropical zone…
The contrast between the pictures is spectacular!!! I couldn’t do the same, here, of course! Thanks for sharing so interesting knowledge about your country!!! What I like when I come here I go back with always something new learnt!!! You can’t imagine the effect on me just watching the snow, now!!!
We are having an extremely cool and wet summer so far in Ontario Canada! After such a long snowy winter, we are disappointed and it doesn’t look like it’s going to warm up much. Well, the water will be cold at the cabins! Hope all is well with you, Diane and the family.
Each season has it’s own beauty and it is magnificent! You live in a beautiful place my dear so do enjoy it. I would love to see your country sometime and I know it will be amazing.
I have something for you on my site so come by and see.
Love and Blessings,
AngelBaby
It’s so hot indeed when I was with you in Oslo. Though that kind of weather is a bit luxurious for us so enjoy it while it lasts.
Kalvøya island seems to be a beautiful place in both summer and winter. Love the contrast between the two seasonal photos of the same beach. Amazing. Have a great week in Norway :)
Absolutely beautiful, thanks for sharing ;)
Hi,
I was just wanting to know what to do besides tanning or swimming on a hot summers day at the beach.
It’s amazing to see the contrast between seasons. It’s a privilege to experience the good things that each season bring.
Enjoy the summer.
Hot or Cold it is still a beautiful NORWAY :D
it’s beautiful anyway, snow in when it’s cold sun when it’s hot, i’ve never touch snow cause living in tropical climate country
from the picture. i could see, people tend to go there in summer, yes hot sun …. mr renny do you like winter or summer ?
Hi there Renny!
So glad that you enjoyed some Ameican food on our 4th!
Hope all is well and so sorry that i haven’t been by more.
Enjoying your posts!
Love, Jess
Absolutely beautiful, :) takes your breath away
Love is to the heart what the summer is to the farmer’s year – it brings to harvest all the loveliest flowers of the soul.
“That beautiful season the Summer!
Filled was the air with a dreamy and magical light;
and the landscape
The climatic changes are wonderful in this spot, Norway and the photos of the two same spots clearly illustrate this.
I liked the photo of sunset so much; the colours are vivid an gives you a warm feeling so thanks for sharing, Renny :)
How amazing! Both scenery look so different during Winter and Summer, but they are beautiful!
How I wish I could tan on that beach! :)
It’s about 36 degree Celsius here in Singapore. I hope the Summer in Norway is more bearable.
Nature around you is so beautiful!! love the contrast winter/summer, fantastic shots as always.
Enjoy your summer months!! having the sun up so early drives me nuts, I started wearing night shades (the ones made out of fabric) when I lived in Hamburg. I need darkness to sleep well :)
Growing up as a young girl in Michigan gave me the same drastic sense of the 4 seasons, Renny, but here in Atlanta it’s mostly summer, autumn, and maybe a few days of spring. I actually LOVE the cold of winter, with snow and ice. I miss it!
Yes, it really is big differenties when it comes to the Nordic weather…. Even from one summer (?) day to another. Dropping 10 degrees just in a couple of hours is not normal, but this summer is not normal at all.
Pouring rain here right now, they warn for floodings in Sweden. Yuk.
I love our mobile broadband at times like this…..
What an amazing contrast!!! So beautiful! It’s amazing you get such warm weather up your way. We’ve just had a few days of 100+F and we’re very happy to be in the upper 90’sF again!
beach time already?wow!
yeah,like they`ve said,it`s so amazing to see a different view from the same places!summer or winter,the scenery is unbeatable!
thanks always for checkin me out,Renny!!
Love the bridge/ cliff jumping picture!
I’m used to these drastic change in the weather since I’m in Canada, but I still find them amazing.
Unfortunately I live in the tropical country Indonesia, so can not enjoy the snow periodically. When my daughter (age 2.4 years) saw the snow on TV, she asked to me: “What’s that?” Then I pickaback her went to the freezer and I said: “This is snow”.
Hmm… one day I should takes her to the four-season country for holiday, ha..ha…
Hurricane Bertha generated large swells from the Carolina’s through New England. The storm was slow moving as it grazed Bermuda and was even at one time a Category 3 storm.
Tropical Storm Christobal has formed off of the southeast coast of the United States with maximum sustained winds of 45 mph. about 130 miles east of Charleston, SC or 185 miles southwest of Cape Hatteras, NC.
do you actually get a lot of those sunny – even if cold – days in the winter? It looks great! :)
Oh yes we do – with crisp, fresh and clean – really great if you know how to dress right :-)
Btw; Thanks for stopping by!
Hi, and thank you. Can I ask you another question? is the weather significantly better (in terms of sunshine in the winter) in Oslo than it is in Stockholm? If so, is it because of the fjords and mountains vs. flatland around Stockholm? Thanks again! :)
I would say no, not significantly better ;-)