Borovichev E.A. Botanical excursion on the Northern Soroya. Hammerfest, 2014.

Aeolian sandy dune ofSandJjellet mountain slope area lias only a slight difference between south and north. Winters on the Saraya are remarkably mild for its high latitude, and summers are rather cool. Precipitation is quite high. Snow lies until June. In winter it is unevenly distributed due to rugged topography, and there are great differences between mountain summits and valleys. The climatic differences between the coast and inland, lowlands and summits are sometimes more dramatic than along south-to- north gradient. Changes in microclimate and topography determine the most important ecological gradient influencing vegetation. During two months, from 21 November till 21 January, the north o f the Soroya experiences a period o f polar night, when the sun is completely below the horizon. Actually at midday there may still be some light owing to tight scattering by the upper atmosphere and refraction. There is polar twilight instead o f polar night, which may be darker because o f the cover o f dense clouds. Sunlight may be visible because of refraction. There can even be the impression that the sun is rising earlier than it astronomically The coastal area is fogged on numerous days during the year 17