The HD Arctic Journal
Stories, guides
and seasonal notes.
What to do, when to come, and what the seasons actually feel like in Tromsø. Written by William Dahl and Erlend Havellen, founders of HD Arctic.
Latest · Seasons
Tromsø in November: The Last Sunset
Tromsø in November is when the light leaves, the polar night begins, the first snow settles, and the aurora hits its peak. Here's what to expect.
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Seasons
Tromsø in October: When the Aurora Gets Serious
Tromsø's first dark month: strong aurora odds, autumn color on the peaks, and far fewer crowds than deep winter, with rain as the trade-off.
Seasons
Tromsø in September: Northern Lights Return
September is the turn. The midnight sun is gone by the end of July, and within the first week of September, the sky over Tromsø goes dark enough...
Seasons
Tromsø in August: The Quiet Turn
The warmest, greenest month in Tromsø — long bright nights, open trails, and the first aurora of the season returning at month's end.
Seasons
Tromsø in Summer: When the Sun Won’t Set
What the summer in Tromsø does to the city, and to the people who live in it. Most people meet Tromsø in its winter coat. Snow on the...
Guides
When to visit Tromsø: A Seasonal and Weather Guide
There is no single best time to visit Tromsø. There is only the best time for the trip you actually want. Someone hoping to stand under the aurora...
Guides
Midnight Sun in Tromsø: The Complete Guide
Most guests arrive prepared for the Tromsø they have seen in photographs. Snow on the rooftops. Aurora over the fjord. A city in its winter coat. Then they...
Guides
Northern Lights in Tromsø: The Complete Guide
We get the same email a hundred times a year. We're flying to Tromsø in November — what are our chances? The honest answer is: better than almost...
Seasons
Tromsø in Winter: One Season, Three Winters
When to come, what to expect, and how to choose between Tromsø's three winters. I spent years checking in guests at Radisson Blu — first as a receptionist...