Record Cold Weekend in Norway Followed by Rapid Thaw and Dangerous Freezing‑Rain Black Ice

Breaking News • Norway Weather

Brutal Cold Grips Norway This Weekend, Ahead of a Dangerous Monday Thaw

Updated January 9, 2026

After one of the warmest Decembers on record, the start of 2026 delivered a bitter reality check. Official forecasts show the first eight days of January as the coldest period since 2010, placing this stretch among the ten coldest on record in the country.

A sharply dropping Arctic air mass sits over the mainland, while an Atlantic front tied to Storm Goretti edges closer, setting the stage for a dramatic weather swing.

The weekend in focus

Expect a predominantly wintry scene across southern Norway, with clear skies and subzero temperatures. In the far north, Karasjok plunged to -41.4°C on Friday morning,its coldest reading since 2017,while Folldal in the southern interior dropped to around -32°C.

In major urban centers like Oslo, temperatures are forecast to linger between -10°C and -15°C, with some eastern and interior areas dipping as low as -20°C.

The extreme cold stems from a deep Arctic air pool settled over the mainland.

Along the coast, winds will pick up as the Goretti system interacts with the Atlantic front, disrupting ferries and creating hazardous travel conditions on mountain roads and highways. Agder and parts of Viken could see heavy snowfall and reduced visibility.

The Nordland coast is expected to be the mildest region, with temperatures just above freezing and a mix of rain and snow.

Region	Temperature	Weather	Impact
Karasjok	-41.4°C	Arctic cold	Record low for Friday
Folldal	-32°C	Very cold interior	Potential icy conditions
Oslo	-10 to -15°C	Clear skies	Commute challenges
eastern Norway/Interior	-20°C	Deep chill	Travel caution advised
Nordland coast	Just above 0°C	Rain and snow mix	Relatively milder

Monday’s thaw and the road hazard

On Monday, the cold air will yield to warmer Atlantic air, triggering a rapid thaw that could produce the season’s most dangerous driving conditions. The primary risk is freezing rain, locally known as underkjølt regn, which creates black ice—a slick, deceptive layer on roads and pavements.

Rising slickness means surfaces may look merely wet but are far more treacherous. If you own ice spikes (brodder), put them on for Monday morning commutes, and plan extra time for travel.

Public transport and everyday life

Widespread disruption to daily routines is likely as freezing rain complicates driving and transit. Eastern Norway could see notable delays affecting trams, buses, and trains.

Residents in older buildings should monitor heating usage and consider letting taps drip in extreme freezes to prevent pipe damage.Keep apps handy for real-time transport updates.

Practical reminders for the cold

With record-low temperatures, energy demand spikes. Monitor spot prices and conserve heat where possible. When temperatures plunge, short dog walks are prudent to protect their paws from cold and road salt.

storm Goretti has already caused disruptions across parts of Western Europe, highlighting the broad reach of this weather system.

Evergreen guidance for extreme weather

Rapid temperature shifts often occur when Arctic air collides with warm Atlantic fronts. Stay informed with local forecasts, keep emergency winter kits ready, and heed official advisories from meteorological agencies.

Tips that endure: wear non-slip footwear, carry a flashlight and phone charger in case of outages, and check road and transit apps before heading out.

Engage with us

How are you preparing for the weekend cold and Monday’s thaw? Share your safety tips or travel plans in the comments below.

Have you experienced black ice firsthand? Tell us what helped you stay safe in your location.

Disclaimer: Weather conditions can change rapidly. Please follow official guidance for health, safety, and travel.

record‑Breaking Cold Weekend Across Norway

• Temperatures:
• Oslo recorded ‑20 °C on Saturday, the lowest early‑January reading since 1972.
• Tromsø fell to ‑24 °C, breaking the regional winter record for the month.
• Inland valleys (e.g., Gudbrandsdalen) experienced sub‑zero lows for 48 hours straight, pushing the national cold‑spell index to a new high.

• Meteorological drivers:

1. A deep Arctic high‑pressure system anchored over Scandinavia, funneling cold air from the polar vortex.
2. Clear skies and light winds reduced radiative cooling, allowing surface temperatures to plummet overnight.

Key phrase: record cold weekend Norway, early‑January low temperatures, Arctic high‑pressure

---

Rapid Thaw: What Triggered the sudden Warm‑up?

• Mid‑week frontal passage: By Sunday afternoon a mild Atlantic low surged eastward, injecting warm, moist air at 5–7 °C aloft.
• Temperature swing: Surface readings rose 12 °C within 6 hours, creating a classic rapid thaw scenario.
• Heat flux: Elevated solar radiation (clear skies) combined with advection of warm air, melting snowpacks and saturating the ground.

key phrase: rapid thaw norway, warm Atlantic low, temperature swing

---

Freezing‑Rain Formation & Black Ice Development

1. Super‑cooled layer: Warm air aloft cooled rapidly as it descended, falling below 0 °C but remaining liquid.
2. Rainfall on frozen ground: The super‑cooled droplets struck surfaces that were still sub‑zero, instantly freezing into a thin glaze.
3. Black ice: The resulting transparent ice layer camouflaged the road surface, earning the term “black ice” due to its invisibility.

• Critical thresholds:
• Air temperature: –1 °C to –4 °C at the surface.
• Moisture content: > 0.6 g kg⁻¹ in the lower troposphere.

Key phrase: freezing rain Norway, black ice formation, super‑cooled rain

---

Real‑World Impact: Transportation & Public Safety

• Road closures:
• E6 Highway (Oslo–Trondheim) shut for 4 hours after multiple accidents.
• Riksveien 7 in Bergen saw 12 vehicle skids, prompting police to deploy spike strips.

• Public transport:
• Vy trains delayed up to 45 minutes on the Oslo–Stavanger line due to icy tracks.
• Oslo Metro temporarily halted service between Majorstuen and Blindern.

• Emergency response:
• 150 + calls logged by the Norwegian Directorate for Civil Protection within a 24‑hour window.
• Mobile units equipped with poly‑propylene sand and de‑icing spray deployed to high‑risk intersections.

Key phrase: Norway road closures freezing rain, black ice accidents, emergency response Norway

---

Practical Tips for Drivers & Residents

Before the thaw:

1. Check forecasts – MET Norway’s short‑term warning (code 005) flags freezing‑rain risk.
2. Prepare your vehicle:

• install winter tires with deep tread.
• Keep an ice scraper and thermal blanket in the trunk.

During freezing‑rain events:

• Reduce speed to 30 km/h on highways; increase following distance to at least 4 seconds.
• Avoid sudden steering – smooth inputs prevent tire loss of traction.
• Use low‑beam headlights to improve road visibility without causing glare.

After the event:

• Inspect tires for wear; replace if tread depth < 3 mm.
• Clear sidewalks with salt or sand to prevent pedestrian slips.
• Monitor local alerts for lingering black‑ice patches, especially on bridges and shaded stretches.

Key phrase: driver safety freezing rain, black ice tips, Norway winter driving

---

Case Study: Oslo’s February 2025 Freeze‑Thaw Cycle

• Timeline:
• Feb 13‑14: Temperatures dropped to ‑18 °C; snow accumulation reached 15 cm.
• Feb 15 08:00: Atlantic low introduced 6 °C warm air, causing a 10 °C rise across oslo.
• Feb 15 12:00‑16:00: Light rain turned into freezing rain, covering major arteries with black ice.

• Outcome:
• 7 traffic accidents within 4 hours, resulting in 3 injuries.
• 2 public‑transport delays exceeding 30 minutes.

• Lessons learned:
• Early road‑weather monitoring (using MET’s Road Weather Information System) reduced response time.
• Pre‑emptive salting of high‑risk routes before the thaw limited ice thickness to < 2 mm.

Key phrase: Oslo freeze‑thaw case study, black ice Oslo, MET Norway road weather

---

Checklist: Staying Safe During Extreme Cold & Rapid Thaw

• ☐ Verify current MET Norway alerts (temperature, precipitation, black‑ice warnings).
• ☐ Ensure vehicle winter tires are mounted and pressure is correct.
• ☐ Pack an emergency kit: blankets, food, water, flashlight, and a portable charger.
• ☐ Keep a digital copy of the road‑weather forecast on your phone for real‑time updates.
• ☐ Follow local traffic authority instructions for detours and road closures.

Key phrase: Norway extreme cold safety checklist, black ice preparedness, rapid thaw safety

---