July means range from 12 °C (54 °F) at some islands in the north (Andøya, Røstlandet) to 16 °C (61 °F) in sheltered fjords in the south (Kvamsøy).

Mean annual temperatures range from about 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) in the south (Bømlo, Stavanger, Bergen), to 6–7 °C (43–45 °F) in central areas (Kristiansund at 7.2 °C (45.0 °F); Brønnøysund at 6.6 °C (43.9 °F)), and 4–5 °C (39–41 °F) in the northernmost part (Bodø at 5.5 °C (41.9 °F); Andenes at 4.4 °C (39.9 °F)).

Temperatures and precipitation patterns are comparable to the coast of British Columbia from northern Vancouver Island and north through the Alaska Panhandle to Yakutat and Seward.

Along the southwestern coast and fjords (Vestlandet or Western Norway) is a temperate mixed forest with pine, some yew and deciduous trees (betula pendula, wych elm, linden, oak, aspen, hazel, juniper) in the lowlands and more typical boreal forest at higher altitudes.

Several species reach their northernmost extent in this ecoregion (naturally occurring): Oak at Edøya and Ørland, yew at Molde, holly at Smøla, ash at Frosta, linden at Brønnøy, elm at Beiarn, hazel at Steigen, and pine has its northernmost forests in the world at Stabbursdalen National Park.

[9] Introduced species include the Norway spruce, which has been planted for economic reasons in areas outside the natural range both on the southwestern coast and in the northernmost part of the ecoregion.

Due to the long history of human settlement (millennia) with agriculture and more recently forestry management, only fragments remain of the original forest.

The boreal rainforests are made up mostly of Norway Spruce (Picea abies) but also included deciduous trees.

However, the most distinguishing feature is the diversity of lichens, some of which are endemic for this forest, or have their only location in Europe here (they are often found on the northwest coast of North America).

Rarer species are Wych Elm (Ulmus glabra), Common Hazel (Corylus avellana) and Black Alder (Alnus glutinosa) (the latter only in the southern part of the area).

Predators are few, as they have been hunted by man for centuries, exterminating brown bear and grey wolf in the coastal area.

There are also some amphibians including the common frog and the smooth newt; the european viper can be seen south of the Arctic circle.