Weather in Norwegian Fjords in August

How August compares

August is the 2nd warmest month of the year in Norwegian Fjords. Against London's average high of 21.4°C in August, Norwegian Fjords is 4.3°C cooler by day and 2.1°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in August

The typical August day in Norwegian Fjords peaks at 17.1°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 21.8°C or more. Roughly 1 in 59 days top 25°C. Nights average 11.4°C; one night in ten drops to 8.4°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest August day here reached 27.3°C (1994-08-01) and the coldest night 4.2°C (2016-08-11).

Rain in August

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 17 days with 1 mm or more, 186 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest August was 2019 with 332 mm, the driest 1995 with 50 mm. Humidity averages 83%.

Sea temperature in August

The sea averages 15.3°C - too cold for most (under 18°c). Depending on the year it ranges from 13.9°C to 17.1°C. This is the warmest the sea gets here all year.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 4.3 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 15.4 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 05:52 and sets about 21:35 local time in mid-August. Average cloud cover is 72%.

Is August a good time to visit Norwegian Fjords?

August is not the strongest month here: mild days and frequent rain. The best months for Norwegian Fjords on our scoring are May, July, June.

Comfortable for walking, cool for sitting outside

The average daytime high of 17.1°C suits travellers who find hot-weather walking tiring, but it is not dependable T-shirt weather. A light top with a jumper or fleece gives you more flexibility than dressing for heat throughout the day. Nights average 11.4°C, and the coldest nights can fall to 8.4°C or below, so bring something warmer for evenings. There can still be pleasantly warm spells: the warmest days reach 21.8°C or more. Treat those as a bonus rather than the basis of your packing. August works better for being active outdoors than for expecting warmth while sitting still.

Rain is the main compromise

With about 17 rainy days, August calls for plans that can move around the weather. That does not mean every wet day is a complete washout, but it does mean you should not build the trip around an uninterrupted run of dry outings. Pack a waterproof outer layer and footwear you are comfortable wearing in the wet, and leave room to dry clothing between outings. Sunshine averages about 4.3 hours within 15.4 hours of daylight, so long days do not translate into consistently sunny conditions. Keep outdoor plans flexible rather than assuming the brightest weather will arrive at a convenient time.

Cold water, even in summer

The sea averages 15.3°C in August, which is cold rather than merely refreshing. Its year-to-year range of 14°C to 17°C also gives little reason to choose the month for warm-water swimming. If swimming is a priority, this is a significant drawback; a mild afternoon does not make the water warm. For time beside the fjords, layers remain more useful than relying on swimwear and a light cover-up. The long daylight gives you flexibility over when to head outside, but temperature and rain should guide those decisions. This is a better fit for travellers content to enjoy being near the water without needing to get in.