Weather

Thanks to warming Gulf Stream winds, Iceland enjoys a much warmer climate than it should given its northerly location (and its name). Though the interior is covered with ice all year round, the coastal areas, like Reykjavik enjoy a relatively mild climate. Weather in Iceland can change quite suddenly though, so always dress in layers. It’s a good idea to bring an umbrella with you as well, especially if you are traveling in March or October, the two wettest months of the year.

Winter in Iceland
From November through January, days in Iceland get progressively shorter, until soon the sun isn’t rising until after 11am in Reykjavik. In January, the hours of average daylight dwindle to just four hours per day. Gale storms and blizzards are common and the temperature is is often around three degrees below zero. Though it can get quite cold in Iceland, it generally doesn’t get much colder than it does during winters on the East Coast of the United States.

Spring in Iceland
Spring in Iceland is like spring in much of Europe and North America. Teasing warm days are interspersed with frigid wintry ones as the temperatures slowly rise. March sees the most precipitation, which then tapers off until fall.

Summer in Iceland
Summers in Iceland are beautiful, and more than make up for the months of cold and dark. While it never quite gets hot in Iceland, it does get warm enough to go out without a jacket (just bring layers for chilling winds). During summer, days become much longer. During July, the sun only sets in Reykjavik for about three hours each night, while further north in the country, the people enjoy daylight for a full 24 hours.

Fall in Iceland
As fall begins, temperatures drop again and precipitation increases. October is the most that receives the most precipitation, with temperatures generally between 3 and 5 degrees.

Next 30 Days:

January
Avg High -3°C
Avg Low 1.9°C
Avg Precipitation 75.6mm

February
Avg High 2.8°C
Avg Low -2.1°C
Avg Precipitation 71.8mm

March
Avg High 3.2°C
Avg Low -2°C
Avg Precipitation 81.8mm

April
Avg High 5.7°C
Avg Low .4°C
Avg Precipitation 58.3mm

May
Avg High 9.4°C
Avg Low 3.6°C
Avg Precipitation 43.8mm

June
Avg High  11.7°C
Avg Low 6.7°C
Avg Precipitation 50mm

July
Avg High 13.3°C
Avg Low 8.3°C
Avg Precipitation 51.8mm

August
Avg High 13°C
Avg Low 7.9°C
Avg Precipitation 61.8mm

September
Avg High 10.1°C
Avg Low 5°C
Avg Precipitation 65.mm

October
Avg High 6.8°C
Avg Low 2.2°C
Avg Precipitation 86.5mm

November
Avg High 3.4°C
Avg Low -1.3
Avg Precipitation 72.5mm

December
Avg High 2.2°C
Avg Low -2.8°C
Avg Precipitation 78.7mm

Daylight

Hours of daylight is another important consideration for when to visit Iceland, and one you might not immediately think of. But extremely short days in winter, and likewise the never-ending days of summer, will have an effect on your trip.

January
Sunrise 10:34am
Sunset 3:59pm

February
Sunrise 9:05am
Sunset 5:38pm

March
Sunrise 7:26am
Sunset 7:07pm

April
Sunrise 5:37am
Sunset 8:38pm

May
Sunrise 3:55am
Sunset 10:12pm

June
Sunrise 2:42am
Sunset 11:32pm

July
Sunrise 3:23am
Sunset 11pm

August
Sunrise 4:58am
Sunset 9:22pm

September
Sunrise 6:29am
Sunset 7:33pm

October
Sunrise 7:55am
Sunset 5:48pm

November
Sunrise 9:32am
Sunset 4:09pm

December
Sunrise 10:50am
Sunset 3:12pm

Photo by WanderingtheWorld