The heat wave
The heat wave is nearing the end: For the week it gets unstable and until the weekend it gets wet.
The heat wave that has gripped the country is finally winding down, making way for a shift to more unsettled weather and rain, especially as the weekend approaches.
– As it looks now, we can expect far more unstable weather in the next week in southern Norway, especially along the coastal areas south and west of the country, says Håkon Mjelstad, a watchful meteorologist.
The most significant weather changes are anticipated with a system moving inland towards Rogaland late Monday night or early Tuesday. This system is expected to bring substantial rainfall to Agder and Rogaland at the start of the week, with its spread across southern Norway yet to be fully determined.
The meteorologist predicts this will lead to unstable weather across much of southern Norway. Areas south of Stad, stretching from the west to the Swedish border, are likely to experience a week of fluctuating weather and scattered showers. Agder and Rogaland, however, can expect more persistent rain.
Residents in central and northern Norway might still enjoy pleasant weather until the following weekend. This is when more typical Norwegian summer conditions are expected to return.
– This weekend it gets wet, is the crushing verdict from Mjelstad.
Thunderstorms are also a possibility, he added.
Danger warning extended
As of Sunday, a forest fire hazard warning was in effect nationwide. Currently, most of the country faces a yellow warning, with Trøndelag and parts of Nordland under an orange warning.
Mjelstad expressed skepticism that the incoming rain will significantly mitigate the forest fire risk. “Only Agder and Rogaland will receive substantial, lasting rainfall,” he noted. “The rest of southern Norway will see intermittent showers that do little to help. This means the danger warning in southern Norway will remain in place at least through this weekend.”
– What about Trøndelag and Nordland, where the fine weather will continue?
– A colleague of mine in Bergen is monitoring the danger warning, and we will be expanding the notification, both in terms of duration and area, including areas down to Møre and Romsdal. Trøndelag is under an orange danger warning over the weekend.
– Is it appropriate to adjust to red?
– Not at this time, but this is something we are continuously considering.
Stark contrast
This upcoming weather marks a significant change from the past few weeks, which saw heat waves affecting Oslo, Trondheim, and most recently, Bergen.
Official heat wave conditions have been recorded in various locations across all counties except Rogaland, Troms, and Finnmark.
Marek Ratajcza, the duty meteorologist, described this year’s heat wave as unusually persistent and strong. “This year’s edition seems to be more embraced, stronger, and last longer than normal,” he stated recently.
