Short answer. Norway has about 1,250 outdoor sirens (tyfoner), mostly in towns and urban areas, run by the Civil Defence (Sivilforsvaret) 1. They have three signals: important notice (seek information), risk of attack (seek cover) and danger is over 1. Nødvarsel sends cell-broadcast alerts to all phones in a defined area, with no app needed 2. NRK P1 is the emergency broadcast channel 3.
What do the three siren signals mean?
| Signal | Pattern | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Viktig melding – søk informasjon (Important notice – seek information) | Three series, one minute between each series | Seek information, for example on NRK P1 1 |
| Fare for angrep – søk dekning (Danger, risk of attack – seek cover; air-raid alarm) | Short blasts for about one minute | Take cover 1 |
| Faren er over (Danger is over) | Continuous tone for 30 seconds | The danger is over 1 |
To find cover, see the public shelters page.
When are the sirens tested?
Twice a year, usually at 12:00 on the second Wednesday of January and June. The test uses the "Important notice" signal 1.
What is Nødvarsel?
Nødvarsel is a mobile-network alert for acute and serious events threatening life and health, sent to all phones in a defined area 2. In DSB's words: "Nødvarsel skal brukes til å varsle befolkningen om akutte og alvorlige hendelser som truer liv og helse" (Nødvarsel is to be used to warn the population of acute and serious events that threaten life and health) 2.
- Who sends it: the police and Sivilforsvaret decide the area and send the alert 2.
- Phones: most newer phones can receive it 2; DSB's brochure says 4G or 5G coverage is needed 3.
- App: none required 2.
- Website: nodvarsel.no, run by DSB 2.
Which radio station should I listen to?
NRK P1 is the emergency channel for public information 31. DSB recommends a DAB radio that works without mains power, powered by batteries, solar or a wind-up mechanism 3. See /guides/emergency-radio for choosing one.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to install an app to receive Nødvarsel?
No. Nødvarsel reaches phones in the defined area through the mobile network 2.
What happens at noon on the second Wednesday of January?
It is usually the siren test, using the "Important notice" signal 1.
What should I do when I hear short blasts for about a minute?
That is the risk-of-attack signal: take cover 1. If there is no shelter nearby, go to a basement or a central room away from windows 3.
Do sirens cover the whole country?
The about 1,250 sirens are mostly in towns and urban areas 1. Nødvarsel and NRK P1 also carry warnings 32.
Sources
- Sivilforsvaret — Varsling av befolkningen — https://www.sivilforsvaret.no/dette-er-sivilforsvaret/varsling-av-befolkningen/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Direktoratet for samfunnssikkerhet og beredskap (DSB) — Om Nødvarsel — https://www.nodvarsel.no/om-nodvarsel/ (accessed 2026-10-20)
- Direktoratet for samfunnssikkerhet og beredskap (DSB) — How you can play your part in Norway's emergency preparedness – Advice on emergency preparedness — https://www.dsb.no/siteassets/sikkerhverdag/egenberedskap/brosjyren/dsb-egenberedskap-engelsk-web.pdf (accessed 2026-10-20)
Turn this into action
Your plan for Norway, worked out for your household.
- Water, food and equipment counted for each person and pet
- The nuclear plants and zones around your home
- Phaenyx Safe: one tap to tell your people you are safe
Sources
- Sivilforsvaret · Varsling av befolkningen checked 2026-10-20
- Direktoratet for samfunnssikkerhet og beredskap (DSB) · Om Nødvarsel checked 2026-10-20
- Direktoratet for samfunnssikkerhet og beredskap (DSB) · How you can play your part in Norway's emergency preparedness – Advice on emergency preparedness checked 2026-10-20