Friday Photo #706 – Waiting for Summer

Photo: Dark and cloudy July sky over Storsandes beach, Flakstadøy, Lofoten Islands, Norway. July 16, 2026. 23:18

This years feels like a summer of two Norways. Down south, Norway is baking in 30˚ C temperatures and endless sunshine, while up north we’re struggling to get into the mid teens and have only a couple hours of sunshine – per week! With the 24 hours daylight of the midnight sun ending this weekend, I think I’ve only seen it a handful of times this month, and my bbq still sits unused in the cellar.

Earlier this week, it was 34˚ C somewhere in southern Norway, while Lofoten was 12˚ C. That is quite a difference. But that is often the case, that northern and southern Norway have completely opposite weather each summer. Though usually there is a bit more of a balance. This year it feels like there has been an endless cloud over all of coastal northern Norway. And it doesn’t seem like it will go away anytime soon, unfortunately.

I took this photo late last night, between passing showers of misty rain. Again, like last week, I could have posted a photo of what could have been, but again decided on a photo of what is. This looks like a photo that would be taken on an autumn photo workshop, there is nothing ‘July’ about it for me. Even with the sun still technically above the horizon all night long for a few more days, the clouds are so dark and heavy that I have to turn the lights on in my house during the evening. And this is the first summer in recent years which I’ve had to keep the heating on – And I generally prefer a cool-ish house anyhow, even in winter.

If I was on a road trip in Norway this summer, I would take a close look at the weather forecasts, and most likely remain south in the fjords. While there is that saying, ‘There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.’ It is not really true. At least for me, there is nothing enjoyable about sweating your way in a rain jacket up the side of a mountain, only to have views of the misty clouds surrounding you.

As of now, Lofoten is still waiting for summer to arrive…

Camera Info:
Nikon Z8
Nikon 14-30mm f/4
21mm
ISO 32
f10
0.8 Second
WB Daylight