Snow and light frost – northern Scandinavia already dressed for winter

At the start of autumn, the higher elevations of northern Scandinavia are already covered in winter snow. A thin blanket of snow covers the mountains in Norway's Nordland, a province north of the Arctic Circle.

However, snow is by no means unusual there at this time of year. This is caused by a strong north-westerly wind that pushes moist air masses against the Norwegian mountains. On the windward side, there is heavy rain and snow in places.

The weather on the south-eastern side of the mountains is quite different: there, the Föhn wind brings dry air and plenty of sunshine. As a result, many regions there are starting the new season with golden autumn weather.