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Furthermore, we analyzed all climate data and provide a recommendation about which months are best to visit Iceland for your holiday.
Climate Overview
-3 °C to 13 °C
6 °C to 11 °C
1.65 – 3.7 in (10 – 15 Days of Rain)Show temperatures in degree
Geographical location
Table of Contents
Iceland is the second largest of all European island states after the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland with just over 62000 square miles of land area.
The main island of Iceland, which geologically belongs to Europe and North America, lies just below the Arctic Circle.
From a geographical point of view, Iceland is considered northern Europe, although the island is located on both the Eurasian and North American continental plates. The very water-rich island state between Greenland (in the northwest) as well as Norway and the Faroe Islands (in the east and southeast) is traversed by over 30 active volcanic systems.
The highest elevation on Iceland is the Hvannadalshnúkur at 2110 metres, while Dettifoss is the most energy-rich waterfall in Europe.
The sparsely populated country with around 330,000 inhabitants is characterised by fjords, glaciers, various rivers and lakes. The capital and seat of government is Reykjavík, the northernmost capital in the world.
Climate in Iceland
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The climate on Iceland is influenced by the rather cool current from Gröndland on the north-east and south-west coast of the island as well as the rather mild Irminger current on the southern coast. The oceanic cool climate is relatively humid, precipitation (rain or snow) can occur in any season. Summer in Iceland is comparatively cool and, with a daytime temperature of around 13 °C in July and August, is more like German autumn.
Warm periods with values above 20 °C are humorously called “summer of the century” on Iceland and are correspondingly rare. From November to March, average daytime temperatures are in the freezing point range, and at night temperatures of minus 10 to minus 25 °C can be reached, especially in the interior and highlands. Snow falls less frequently in the south of the island than in the north, and temperatures are usually also higher.
There’s a saying:”If you’re not happy with the weather in Iceland, just close your eyes for 10 minutes!” The weather in Iceland is considered moody and very changeable. We have already experienced it several times and can basically confirm this sharpened motto.
Best Time to Visit Iceland: Overview
JanuaryJan MaximumMax. 2 °C Water max. 6 °C | FebruaryFeb MaximumMax. 3 °C Water max. 6 °C | MarchMar MaximumMax. 3 °C Water max. 6 °C | AprilApr MaximumMax. 6 °C Water max. 7 °C | MayMay Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Iceland | JuneJun Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Iceland |
JulyJul Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Iceland | AugustAug Best time to traveltime PerfectPerf. climate in Iceland | SeptemberSep MaximumMax. 11 °C Water max. 11 °C | OctoberOct MaximumMax. 7 °C Water max. 8 °C | NovemberNov MaximumMax. 3 °C Water max. 8 °C | DecemberDec MaximumMax. 2 °C Water max. 7 °C |
When is the best time to travel in Iceland?
Winter in Iceland usually lasts from the beginning of November to the end of April, although snowfall in May is not uncommon. Especially for tours with a snowmobile or a superjeep, this travel season is particularly recommended, but Reykjavík and the Golden Circle also unfold a magical atmosphere as normal tourists in the snow.
Some side streets are now impassable, but the hot thermal springs are now particularly popular. However, we clearly recommend summer on the island as the best time to travel to Iceland. The so-called midnight sun ensures endless long days, nature is now in full bloom from mid-June to August.
Also for whale watching tours the months of June, July and August are considered to be absolutely best travel time. In general, the high season for Iceland is also during this period, many sights are now well visited. September will be much calmer, but can still convince with mostly good weather conditions.
Best Time to Visit the Regions
Find the best time to visit the regions (Iceland) in the following overview.| Location | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|
| Reykjavík | May, June, July, and August |
| Reykjavik | June, July, August, and September |
Climate Chart Iceland
Reykjavík
Show temperatures in degree
Source of Data: German Weather Service (Offenbach) and Wikipedia
Climate Table Iceland
In the following, you will find the climate table for Iceland, containing information about Temperatures, Precipitation, Water Temperatures, and Hours of Sunshine.Temperatures, Precipitation, Sunshine in Reykjavík (Iceland)
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Day Temperature | 2° | 3° | 3° | 6° | 9° | 12° | 13° | 13° | 10° | 7° | 3° | 2° |
| Night Temperature | -3° | -2° | -2° | 0° | 4° | 7° | 8° | 8° | 5° | 2° | -1° | -3° |
| Water Temperature | 6° | 6° | 6° | 7° | 8° | 9° | 11° | 11° | 10° | 8° | 8° | 7° |
| Precipitation (inch) | 3.5 | 2.52 | 2.44 | 2.2 | 1.65 | 1.65 | 1.97 | 2.2 | 2.64 | 3.7 | 3.07 | 3.11 |
| Rainy days | 13 | 13 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 12 | 15 | 13 | 14 |
| Hours of Sunshine | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 |
Show temperatures in degree
Temperatures
The annual average temperature in Reykjavík is 4.4 °C.For comparison: London 11 °C, NYC 12 °C, LA 17.9 °C
Warmest month: July (10.8 °C)
Coldest month: January (-0.6 °C)
The maximum water temperature in Reykjavík is 11 °C. You cannot take a bath with these temperatures.
Precipitation
Overall annual precipitation: 30.67 inch on 149 rainy daysFor comparison: London 24.06 in, NYC 41.57 in, LA 12.01 in
There is no rainy season (months with more than 6.9 in of precipitation).
Months that have possible snowfall: all except June, July, and August
Sunshine
As our climate table shows, May is the sunniest month with an average of 6.2 hours of sunshine per day. Over the year, there are 3.5 hours of sunshine per day on average. For comparison: London has 4.1, NYC has 7 and LA has 8.9 hours of sunshine per day on average.Aurora Borealis / Northern Lights and other sights
All tours start in the capital Reykjavík, which is already worth seeing with its Nordic architecture and the charming harbour area itself. The Golden Circle Route is part of the standard program of every Iceland trip and covers the most important sights like Thingvellir, Geysir and Gullfoss.
The Blue Lagoon is also very easy to reach from the capital. The waterfalls Skógafoss, Seljalandsfoss and Dettifoss as well as the mosquito lake Mývatn are some of the country’s exciting attractions.
In winter there is the chance to observe northern lights on Iceland (Aurora Borealis). The best conditions prevail in mostly cloudless, dark nights from the end of September to mid-March. The time between 9 pm and 4 am is very promising. However, a forecast of the northern lights is only possible for a short time, so we recommend a tour with experienced providers such as Gateway to Iceland.
More information about the best things to do: Iceland
Popular Activities
Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full-Day Tour with Kerid Crater
Tours
from 69 $ »
Take a full-day tour of Iceland’s iconic Golden Circle. Experience the stunning natural scenery and see the spectacular Geysir area, Gullfoss waterfall, and Þingvellir National Park.
Keflavik Airport (KEF): Bus Transfer to/from Reykjavik
Transfers
from 26 $ »
Hop onboard a shared shuttle bus transfer between Keflavik Airport (KEF) and BSI Bus Terminal or central Reykjavik. Enjoy the free Wi-Fi and air-conditioning.
From Reykjavik: South of Iceland Full-Day Trip
Tours
from 101 $ »
Experience nature at its best with waterfalls and black sand beaches. Walk behind the cascades of Seljalandsfoss & go to the glacier snout at Sólheimajökull.
More attractions
Iceland: Northern Lights Bus Tour from Reykjavik | From Reykjavik: Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon Full-Day Trip | Keflavik Airport & Reykjavik Hotels: Economy Bus Transfer | From Reykjavik: Golden Circle Full Day Tour | Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Kerid Crater, & Blue Lagoon Tour | From Reykjavik: Golden Circle, Kerid, & Secret Lagoon Tour | Keflavik Airport (KEF): Transfer to/from Reykjavik |Current Weather and Forecast
Current Weather in Reykjavík (Station Reykjavik)
snow, 0.7 °CClouds: 100 % Wind: 26 mph SW
Air Pressure: 987 hPa Humidity: 85 %
Air Pressure: 987 hPa Humidity: 85 %
Last updated: 7th Feb 2023, 10:10 am
The next days …
| 7th Feb 2023 | 8th Feb 2023 | 9th Feb 2023 | 10th Feb 2023 | 11th Feb 2023 | 12th Feb 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 -3 °C to 3 °C | -5 °C to -2 °C | -6 °C to -1 °C | -3 °C to 5 °C | 2 °C to 7 °C | 1 °C to 2 °C |
| -3 °C to 3 °C | -5 °C to -2 °C | -6 °C to -1 °C | -3 °C to 5 °C | 2 °C to 7 °C | 1 °C to 2 °C |
| Clouds: 100 % | Clouds: 100 % | Clouds: 78 % | Clouds: 100 % | Clouds: 100 % | Clouds: 99 % |
| 0.62 in of snow | 0.42 in of snow | 0.01 in of snow | 0.35 in of rain | 0.78 in of rain | 0.01 in of rain |
Weather information provided by OpenWeatherMap. (CC BY-SA)
Show temperatures in degree
Important Regions and Cities
We have extended climate information for the following region:Hottest Month
July: 13 °C
Day Temperature in Reykjavík
July: 13 °CDay Temperature in Reykjavík
Coldest Month
January: -3 °C
Night Temperature in Reykjavík
January: -3 °CNight Temperature in Reykjavík
Rainiest Month
October: 3.7 in
Rain in Reykjavík
October: 3.7 inRain in Reykjavík
Driest Month
May: 1.65 in
Rain in Reykjavík
May: 1.65 inRain in Reykjavík
Maximum Water Temperature
July: 11 °C
Water Temperature in Reykjavík
July: 11 °CWater Temperature in Reykjavík
Sunniest Month
May: 6.2 hours/day
Sunshine in Reykjavík
May: 6.2 hours/daySunshine in Reykjavík
Activities and Attractions
Reykjavik: Whale Watching Tour
Tours
from 88 $ »
From Reykjavik: Snæfellsnes Peninsula Full-Day Tour
Tours
from 123 $ »
South Coast Classic: Full-Day Tour from Reykjavik
Tours
from 100 $ »
Distances to Iceland
| London | New York | Los Angeles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík | 1170 mi | 2620 mi | 4310 mi |
Where’s Iceland?
Show Reykjavík on MapContinent: Europe
All Holiday Destinations in EuropeShare your Experience and Win
We want to know: how was the weather during your Iceland holiday? You can win a travel coupon of 1000 $. The price will be raffled among all submissions.
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Iceland: Experiences of our Visitors
very much sunshine, pleasant temperatures of approx. 15 degrees, 1 rainy day
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
Snowstorms, sandstorm, sunshine, rain, storm heights, 3x northern lights in one week – a little bit of everything.
A holiday in this wonderful country is never destroyed by bad weather.
Weather Rating: 3 stars – Mixed
no continuous rain, sometimes a little grey in grey but also in the sun ) nordic weather… from 13 degrees in the south-west to 5 degrees in the north
Weather Rating: 4 stars – Good
The weather wasn’t so bad. As they say: There is no bad weather, only bad clothes!
Weather Rating: 3 stars – Mixed
It was as expected! Iceland Weather 🙂
“There are only bad clothes, no bad weather
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
3 days of sunshine or sun-cloud change. Half a day of drizzle! Temperatures during the day between 12 and 16°C!
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
3 days sunshine, 3 days Icelandic weather with rain, snow and storm
Weather Rating: 5 stars – Excellent
It was mixed with rain, sun, wind and constant temperature fluctuations.
Weather Rating: 3 stars – Mixed