Friday Photo #532 – March Cold

Photo: March sunset over Hornet, Myrland, Flakstadøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. March 12, 2023. 17:01

After what had been a mostly stormy and rainy January and February, March has brought a long winter cold spell to Lofoten – in other words, perfect winter weather! Since March 5, the temperatures have remained below freezing, with generous amounts of snow over the islands. And the forecast for the coming week looks to see this trend continue.

March traditionally should be the most ‘winter’ month on Lofoten. Though the last years have brought a somewhat mild March, especially last year when it felt like spring had already arrived by now. So it is nice to finally have a proper March again, and once I finish up with my last workshop of the winter season this week, hopefully there is still plenty of snow for my ski season to begin!

Beyond the overall nice weather of the last weeks, the days are also becoming quite long as the sun rises higher and higher in the sky. This is the period I generally refer to as ‘light winter – as opposed to ‘dark winter,’ which would be from December until mid February. By now, the days feel more ‘normal’ for those from lower latitudes and the feeling of the short days is over. Ignoring the snow covered mountains rising from the sea, the days now don’t feel any different than at some ski resort in the Alps, for example.

As the light winter progresses and Lofoten gains around one hour of daylight per week, we’ve now also entered the final countdown for aurora season – with about 4 weeks left until the night sky has brightened into the twilight nights of mid April. And then, another 4 weeks from then, the midnight sun!

Head over to my Instagram account for (almost) daily postings of the local conditions here on Lofoten: @distant.north

Camera Info:
Nikon Z7 II
Nikon 24-120mm f/4
24mm
ISO 100
f 8
1/20 Second
WB Daylight