Norway has recorded its longest heatwave ever as temperatures soared in the town of Stor-Elvdal this July. The village of Evenstad experienced 15 consecutive days above 27 °C between July 11 and 25—an unprecedented stretch according to the Norwegian Meteorological Institute.
This event is part of a wider “truly unprecedented” heatwave gripping several Nordic countries. Temperatures over 30 °C were recorded for 12 days in Norway’s northernmost counties, including areas within the Arctic Circle. In Finland, meteorologists reported the longest hot streak since 1961, with daily highs around 32–33 °C. Sweden also saw extreme and prolonged heat, with some areas recording 14 straight days above 25 °C—something not seen in over a century.
At the same time, the weather turned extreme in other ways. While Stor-Elvdal sizzled, the nearby municipality of Trysil was deluged with rain. The village of Plassen recorded 190.1 mm of rainfall—more than double the norm—making it one of Norway’s wettest locations last month. In stark contrast, Bjorli in Lesja saw just 5 mm, a 92% drop from typical levels.
Across the country, July 2025 was the third-warmest on record, with average temperatures 2.8 °C above normal. Only 2018 and 2014 were hotter. Nationwide, 27 heat records were broken for both daily highs and monthly averages. Every county experienced heatwave conditions, including tropical nights.
According to the U.S. National Weather Service and the Norwegian Meteorological Institute, this extreme weather aligns with long-term climate change trends. Climate researcher Reidun Gangstø stated: “We must prepare for this to happen more frequently in the future. Cutting emissions and preparing our infrastructure is crucial.”
The recent surge in temperature also extended to other parts of Europe. In the UK, July was its fifth warmest on record, and researchers warn that countries like Norway, the UK, and Switzerland are among the most vulnerable to rising heat. These nations face the sharpest increases in days with potentially dangerous temperatures—while also lacking the infrastructure to cope.
These weather extremes across the Nordics reflect a broader global pattern of intensifying climate events, now reaching regions once considered climate-stable.
