Headline: Norway in 2024: A Year of Extreme Weather
As we bid farewell to 2024, the Norwegian Meteorological Institute has released its annual climate summary, revealing another year of extreme weather characterized by soaring temperatures and heavy rainfall.
Extreme Rainfall in Bergen
Topping the list of wettest locations was Gullfjellet in Bergen, which recorded a staggering 4841.5 millimeters of rain, a whopping 19% more than the average. The city of Bergen as a whole experienced a 15% increase in rainfall, ranking it as the third wettest year on record.
Record-Breaking Heat in the North
In stark contrast, northern Norway faced unprecedented heat. 2024 was officially the hottest year ever recorded in Nordland, Troms, and Finnmark, with temperatures soaring 1.3°C, 1.5°C, and 1.5°C above normal respectively. Notably, temperatures exceeded the norm in every month except January and April in Finnmark.
November’s Extreme Storm ‘Jakob’
November’s extremo storm ‘Jakob’ brought record-breaking rainfall to Øvsteland in Voss, with a staggering 175.5 mm falling in just one day. This set a new Norwegian record for daily rainfall in 2024.
Wettest and Driest Stations
The wettest stations in 2024 were:
- Gullfjellet in Bergen (4840.7 mm, 19% above normal)
- Brekke in Gulen, Vestland (4024.3 mm, 15% above normal)
- Lurøy in Nordland (4005.8 mm, 31% above normal)
Meanwhile, the driest stations were:
- Skjåk II in Innlandet (414.5 mm, 39% below normal)
- Alta Lufthavn in Finnmark (434.9 mm, 0% above normal)
- Karasjok – Markannjarga in Finnmark (438.8 mm, 5% above normal)
Warming Trend
Scientists are in agreement that Norway is experiencing a clear warming trend, with 17 of the 25 warmest years on record occurring since 2000. As temperatures rise, so does the precipitation, a trend that climate projections suggest will continue and even intensify in the years to come.
