Iceland’s temperatures are cool, and do vary throughout the year. In winter months, minimum temperatures plummet to below freezing. In Reykjavik, summer temperatures average around 13°C (55°F), while winter maximums are approximately 0°C (32°F). Rainfall is quite consistent throughout the year; between 25–50 mm per month, with most days experiencing some rainfall. You might expect Iceland to be colder than it actually is – it does have the word 'ice' in its name, after all – but parts of the country have a more temperate climate due to a section of the Gulf Stream flowing along the southern and western coast. The south coast of Iceland is warmer, but usually windier and wetter, than the north.

Reykjavik in winter

Weather in Reykjavik

Reykjavik, Iceland's capital, is in the south-west of the country and experiences short and cool summers and long, wet and windy winters. The wettest month is January with an average of 50 mm of rain. Summer (June to August or September) can be surprisingly warm, and it's also the driest season, so it's a popular time to visit. Reykjavik is one of the cloudiest and coldest capitals of any nation in the world.

MONTH  AVERAGE HIGH   AVERAGE LOW 
June to August 12°C/54°F 8°C/46°F
 September to November  7°C/44°F 4°C/39°F
 December to February  3°C/37°F -2°C/28°F
March to May 5°C/41°F 0°C/32°F
Akureyri covered in snow

Weather in Akureyri

The northern port city of Akureyri is generally cooler than along the south coast and in Reykjavik, because it misses out on most of the Gulf Stream. Although it's cold, Akureyri does not reach extreme levels like other places on the same latitude. Snow cover starts to build in October and melts in April, but depending on yearly trends, snow can sit on the peaks year-round! There is less rainfall than the south due to wind patterns.

MONTH  AVERAGE HIGH   AVERAGE LOW 
June to August 13°C/55°F 7°C/45°F
 September to November  7°C/45°F 1°C/34°F
 December to February  3°C/37°F -3°C/27°F
March to May 5°C/41°F 0°C/32°F
Hvolsvollur houses against blue sky

Weather in Hvolsvollur

Temperatures in Hvolsvollur feel cold year-round, and as it's located on the south coast around 100 km east of Reykjavik, this town and wider region experiences similar wind and weather patterns to the country's capital.

MONTH  AVERAGE HIGH   AVERAGE LOW 
June to August 12°C/54°F 9°C/48°F
 September to November  8°C/46°F 5°C/41°F
 December to February  5°C/41°F 1°C/34°F
March to May 7°C/45°F 3°C/37°F
Clouds form in westfjord, Iceland

Weather in Westfjords

Temperatures in the Westfjords (Flatey Island) are generally cooler across the board year round, and is the coldest area at sea level in Iceland because of the East Greenland Current – cutting through the Nordic Seas. Simply put, you'll need to rug up. 

MONTH  AVERAGE HIGH   AVERAGE LOW 
June to August 13°C/55°F 8°C/46°F
 September to November  7°C/44°F 2°C/36°F
 December to February  2°C/36°F -3°C/27°F
March to May 6°C/42°F 1°C/33°F

Click to read about the best time to visit Iceland

Click to read our Iceland packing guide

Click to return to Iceland FAQs

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