Norway's heatwave: Could the country break its all-time heat record?

There are many definitions of a heatwave, but in Norway a heatwave is defined as five consecutive days with a maximum temperature of at least 27C.

Eight areas have recently experienced confirmed heatwaves in the country: Nesbyen, Gulsvik, Lier, Bø, Tveitsund, Valle, Byglandsfjord, and Åseral.

However, several additional areas in southern Norway are expected to join this list by the end of the week.

While there is a 100 percent certainty that large areas of southern Norway will exceed 30C, meteorologists say it could reach over 35C in some places.

“35C is much more uncertain, and only small areas have a 20 percent chance of that,”  said Yr (the Norwegian weather service) on their website.

"There is high pressure over parts of the country, combined with warm air masses coming from the south. Stable warm weather with high pressure and little movement means that the heat stays," state meteorologist Emili Carin Rønning told VG. 

Peak temperatures expected on Wednesday

Wednesday, July 15th is expected to see the highest temperatures. 

Rønning said that the inland regions of Buskerud and Telemark will experience the most intense heat.

In Oslo, temperatures are expected to reach 33C.

The probability map from Yr.no highlights orange areas for temperatures above 30C and red areas where there is a risk of exceeding 35C.

The map shows the probability of over 30C in orange and over 35C in red. Photo: Screenshot yr.no

Potential for record-breaking heat

The official heat record is 35.6C, measured in Nesbyen on June 20th, 1970.

A new national heat record could be set in Norway on Wednesday, as the forecast predicts the highest temperatures of the week.

This could happen in Dalen, Telemark, where temperatures are forecast to reach a high of 37C, or in Gol, Hallingdal, where 37C is also expected.

Check the maximum temperature measured in all counties here.