Tromsø, located north of the Arctic Circle, experiences a phenomenon called polar night. In winter, the tilt of the Earth's axis prevents the sun from rising above the horizon for about two months.
Tromsø is located in the north of Norway, nearly 350 kilometers north of the Arctic Circle. This very northern location makes it one of the northernmost cities in the world with over 50,000 inhabitants. It is situated on the island of Tromsøya, surrounded by mountains and connected to the mainland by bridges. At this extreme latitude (69°N), Tromsø experiences a very particular phenomenon each year: the sun completely disappears for about two months. This is called the polar night. This geographical situation directly explains why the city spends long weeks without direct sunlight every winter.
Our planet rotates on an axis slightly tilted at about 23.5 degrees. This small tilt makes a big difference: depending on the time of year, some regions will point more towards the Sun, while others will be farther away. As a result, when the northern hemisphere tilts towards the Sun, we experience summer here, with long and bright days. Conversely, when the northern hemisphere tilts away from the Sun for several months, places located beyond the Arctic Circle, like Tromsø, find themselves completely in the Earth's shadow, with no chance of seeing the Sun. Tromsø's position, at nearly 70° north latitude, means it undergoes this particular astronomical phenomenon every year during winter, plunging the city into a continuous relative darkness known as the polar night.
The polar night is a period where the sun never rises above the horizon for several days, or even several months, depending on your location. In Tromsø, situated above the Arctic Circle, it lasts about two months, from late November to mid-January. Why does this happen? It is related to the tilt of the Earth's axis: in winter, the northern hemisphere tilts away from the sun, and regions far to the north remain shrouded in permanent darkness. However, it is not completely dark all day: there is what is called polar twilight, a soft and colorful glow at noon, without actually seeing the sun appear. The further north you go, the longer and more intense this polar night becomes. Tromsø, at this latitude, therefore experiences this special period every year, strongly influencing daily life and the rhythm of life there.
The phenomenon of the polar night makes winters in Tromsø particularly long, cold, and snowy. Deprived of sunlight for weeks, residents must face freezing temperatures often below zero. This prolonged absence of brightness also disrupts our biological clock, sometimes leading to sleep or mood disorders, such as fatigue or mild winter blues. Many compensate by taking vitamin D supplements and expose themselves to special lamps that replicate sunlight. Despite all this, locals find clever ways to enjoy and celebrate this dark period: luminous festivals, nighttime hikes, or friendly gatherings among neighbors to keep their spirits up!
During the months of darkness, the inhabitants of Tromsø adapt with soft artificial lights, candles, and fairy lights in the windows. This warm atmosphere is part of kos, a Norwegian philosophy advocating comfort, coziness, and well-being despite the darkness. Many take vitamin D supplements to compensate for the lack of sunlight and avoid winter blues. Outdoor activities like cross-country skiing or walks with headlamps remain popular to stay healthy and enjoy nature even in the gloom. More socially, cafes and bars become essential places to gather, spend time together, and keep spirits up during this prolonged darkness.
Did you know that thanks to its northern latitude, Tromsø is one of the best places in the world to observe the famous northern lights, which are often spectacular during the long nights?
Despite the months without sunlight, the city of Tromsø is not plunged into total darkness. Beautiful bluish hues and colorful lights traditionally illuminate the streets during this unique period.
Tromsø is so well adapted to the lack of winter sunlight that it hosts one of the northernmost film festivals in the world, called the 'Tromsø International Film Festival', taking advantage of the dark period to create an exceptional cinematic atmosphere.
The reverse phenomenon also exists: Tromsø enjoys the 'midnight sun' every summer, with nearly two continuous months of visible sunlight, during which the sun does not dip below the horizon.
If temperatures do often drop below zero in winter in Tromsø, the city still benefits from the Gulf Stream marine current, giving it a milder climate than other regions at the same latitude.
During this period, residents and visitors enjoy specific activities such as Northern Lights observation, night photography, dog sledding, and cultural festivals tailored to the darkness.
Yes, there is also the phenomenon known as the 'midnight sun'. During the summer period (from late May to late July approximately), the sun does not set in Tromsø, providing constant daylight throughout the days.
The city of Tromsø experiences about two months of total darkness from late November to mid-January, a period known as the 'polar night'.
Even during the polar night, Tromsø does not experience total permanent darkness. For a few hours each day, a bluish light known as 'twilight' gently illuminates the city, creating a distinctive atmosphere.
Some residents may experience a temporary drop in morale due to the lack of natural light; however, in general, the local community has developed daily and cultural routines to maintain good spirits during the polar night.
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