Weather in Iceland
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, while winter maximums are approximately 0°C. Rainfall is 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.
Weather in Reykjavik
Reykjavik, Iceland's capital, is in the southwest of the country and experiences short, 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) 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 | 54°F | 46°F |
September to November | 44°F | 39°F |
December to February | 37°F | 28°F |
March to May | 41°F | 32°F |
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's less rainfall than in the south due to wind patterns.
Month | Average high | Average low |
|---|---|---|
June to August | 13°C | 7°C |
September to November | 7°C | 1°C |
December to February | 3°C | -3°C |
March to May | 5°C | 0°C |
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 | 9°C |
September to November | 8°C | 5°C |
December to February | 5°C | 1°C |
March to May | 7°C | 3°C |
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 | 8°C |
September to November | 7°C | 2°C |
December to February | 2°C | -3°C |
March to May | 6°C | 1°C |
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