November snowfall in Tromsø

When I came back from Scotland about three weeks ago snow had fallen in Tromsø. But temperatures went up again and more or less all the snow melted away, at least on Tromsøya. These photos I took on my way home five days ago.

Five days ago I (2025-11-06)Five days ago II (2025-11-06)

It started snowing in the weekend and so it looked like, when I waited for the bus yesterday morning:

Yesterday morning (2025-11-10)

During the day another twenty centimetres of snow fell down and at 0:00 we had 29.7 cm of snow at the weather station. I however think, we have even more snow, where I live. Weather can be quite local in Tromsø.

This morning it had cleared up and temperatures were round -2 °C, when I went out for a walk. It takes only a couple of minutes, and you are in the nature of Tromsøya with its forests, bogs, lakes, and hiking paths.  This way will soon become a ski trail, if the weather stays wintery.

Today morning

 

Šlobboten

Yesterday evening I had the honour and pleasure of joining the musical performance Šlobboten by Sondre Närva Pettersen. As a member of the Tromsø-based Sámi choir Romssa Rástát, I stood on the stage of the Hålogaland Teater, where this extraordinary performance took place last night.

Since I do not manage to find the right words to describe it better, this is the translation of the information I found on the website of the Jazz club:

A magical exploration of Sámi culture and identity.

 

In this groundbreaking production, Sámi singer and composer Sondre Närva Pettersen—whose roots lie in Ullsfjord—has created a truly unique concept. The performance takes the audience on a journey that blends Sámi culture, Nordic jazz, Sámi hymns, and electronic textures, brought to life by a large ensemble of some of our finest musicians. It also features personal interviews and captivating video art.

On the dress rehearsal I took the freedom to take some snapshots with my mobile, while we waited to go on the stage.

Šlobboten dress rehearsal IIIŠlobboten dress rehearsal IŠlobboten dress rehearsal IIŠlobboten dress rehearsal IV

Some of Sondre’s beautiful melodies are still echoing in my mind the day after the concert. If we are lucky, the programme might be staged again. Perhaps next year?

Walking home between the seasons

After a three-week break, I did my usual after-work hike from Prestvannet to my flat today. Back then it was full autumn, now the weather bas become more wintry despite of the warmer temperatures the last days.

Prestvannet IPrestvannet IIPrestvannet IIIWay homeLate autumn leavesFrozen footprints on icy ways

For those who wonder whether I’ll show photos from Scotland. Yes I’ll do but not before next weekend. See you then …

Tromsø departure – Tromsø arrival

On 11 October I took the plane from Tromsø to Bergen and then to Aberdeen for a holiday in Scotland with my wife Annika. In Tromsø it has rained the night before but in higher altitudes the rain had come as snow. I could see the mountain Tromsdalstinden (1238 m) after departure and before we were swallowed by the thick layer of clouds. It was covered with a thin layer of snow.

Tromsdalstinden

Then we had a great time in Scotland. And we didn’t had any snow at all. (More to be told later.)

Yesterday I flew back and arrived in Tromsø at 10 o’clock in the evening. Round the airport there was some snow and slush but where I live there was more snow. More than I expected.

Today I measured 28 cm of snow on the roof of the car (or 11 Scottish inches), but now it is warmer and the snow has started to melt. While the birch trees are leafless, other trees are still leafy and now let their colourful leaves fall onto the snow.

The small PondWinter autumnWinter pathContrastLeaves and snow

Today I took a day off and will use some of the time to browse through the Scotland photos. But before that I will clear the snow on my parking place to avoid afternoon’s rain.

October on Tromsøya

This is the season where the golden October starts to loose its colours. The first ground frosts occur and many birch trees have lost their leaves. Now it is the rowan and willow trees and the grass and moss that shows autumnal colours.

Four pics I took on an after-work hike two days ago and four I took today.

PolyporeNear and farBog pond IRowan coloursWay to SkihyttaBog pond IIBridge over muddy waterRed blueberry leaves

It won’t be long before the afternoons are so dark that the light posts make sense — and maybe I’ll be able to ski there as early as next month.

1st October

The 1st day of this year’s October delivers! First I got a clear, blue sky on my after-work hike through the autumnal forests on top of Tromsøya. Then I got beautiful Northern lights tonight, I just came in and developed the photos a bit.

What you don’t see here – as usual – is the movements of the Aurora. The live act is still better.

October walk Prestvannet → home IOctober walk Prestvannet → home IIOctober walk Prestvannet → home IIIAurora IAurora II

The first polar lights of the season 2025/26

The photo is lousy, but here it is: a picture of my first polar lights of this season. Taken handheld from the balcony with my mobile phone. You can see part of the roof. But of course – as soon my DSLR camera was attached to the tripod the aurora has already disappeared again.

A bad photo of the aurora tonight