14-02-2024
Wondering what weather to expect in Iceland? Knowing what Iceland’s climate is like and what Iceland average temperatures you might experience during your trip is key to planning your vacation wardrobe and itinerary.
Let’s take a look through a general overview of the climate and weather in Iceland, plus an in-depth exploration of the typical Iceland average temperatures in different seasons throughout the year.
Iceland’s climate is an oceanic climate with cool summers and relatively mild winters, which makes the island’s weather relatively mild for its location just below the Arctic Circle. This is due to the warm currents of the Gulf Stream, which mix with cold Arctic air, causing frequent fluctuations in Iceland’s weather.
The famously changeable weather in Iceland means wearing waterproof outer layers is an essential when heading out on a day trip in Iceland, no matter what time of year you’re visiting. Iceland’s southern region is warmer and wetter than the north, with the north experiencing longer and colder winters.
Iceland’s beautiful capital city, Reykjavík, is one of the coldest and cloudiest capitals in the world. Located on the coast of southwest Iceland, Reykjavík receives lots of rain (South Iceland receives more rain than North Iceland in general). The rainiest month of the year is January, with an average of 50mm of rain.
Reykjavík is a pretty windy city, so we definitely recommend wrapping up warm. Summers are generally mild and fairly short, whereas winter lasts much longer and can be very cold. There can also be storms with strong winds and extreme weather, including high rainfall and snowfall.
Can you imagine what summer on a subarctic island looks like? Let’s explore what you can expect from Iceland’s summer by answering the most frequently asked questions about summer in Iceland, including ‘how warm does it get in Iceland?’ and ‘what’s the warmest month in Iceland?’.
From around June to August is summer in Iceland, although Iceland temperatures usually start to rise around May and stay warm until September. True summer is between June and August, with July being the warmest month in Iceland. How Warm Does it Get in Iceland?
Average Iceland temperatures in summer are usually between 10 and 14ºC (50 to 57ºF). Lows during summer can be around 6ºC (43ºF), whilst highs are usually up to 25ºC (77ºF). As the warmest month in Iceland, July sees average temperatures of around 13ºC (55ºF) with average highs of around 20ºC (68ºF).
Iceland’s weather during summer is usually fairly mild to warm, with sunshine and clear, dry days. There are definitely less rainy days than during spring and fall, giving you plenty of chance to explore the natural wonders all across the island in comfort. As a fairly remote island in the middle of the ocean, Iceland can often be windy (even during summer), which makes the air feel a little chillier.
So, how about winter in Iceland? Let’s take a look through the most frequently asked questions about Iceland winter weather, including ‘when is winter in Iceland?’, ‘is Iceland cold?’ and ‘does it snow in Iceland?’.
Winters are long, dark and cold in Iceland, with beautiful snowy scenes to enjoy all over the island, plus the incredible Northern Lights dancing across the dark skies.
Temperatures usually start to drop in October and remain low until March, with the peak of winter in Iceland occurring during the months of December, January and February, which are the coldest months of the year in Iceland.
Iceland’s average temperature in winter is 0ºC (32ºF), although North Iceland sees much colder average winter temperatures of around -10ºC (14ºF). Winter temperatures hover around 1 to 2ºC (33 to 35ºF) in Iceland’s southerly capital of Reykjavík.
If you’re wondering ‘how cold does it get in Iceland?’, the lowest temperatures in North Iceland usually range from -25 to -30ºC (-13 to -22ºF), although the lowest temperature ever recorded in Iceland was a freezing -39.7ºC (-39.5ºF)!
Yes, it does snow in Iceland! With snow and ice covering the incredible natural wonders all around the country, Iceland in winter looks just like a Christmas card brought to life! The first snow of the year usually falls in October and lasts until around March, or even April some years.
The first places in Iceland to receive snow are usually the north of the island and inland mountainous areas. Even coastal towns and cities of Iceland receive snow during the coldest parts of the year, including the capital of Reykjavík.
The shoulder seasons of spring and fall aren’t as defined as in other countries. As the island undergoes the yearly transition from winter to spring and summer to fall, Iceland’s weather can be even more changeable than usual.
You’re more likely to experience a mixture of cool and warm days during both spring and fall, with some rainy, clear, windy and sunny days. It’s also not uncommon to experience all these different weather conditions during one day!
A short season beginning in around March and lasting until May, spring sees beautiful flora flourishing across the island and migrating birds returning to the island, such as Iceland’s iconic puffins.
Although spring in Iceland is warmer than winter, Iceland’s spring is still relatively cold, with the average temperature remaining around 3ºC (37ºF). Daylight hours range from 16 to 18 hours in South Iceland and 12 to 17 hours in North Iceland.
If you’re staying in South Iceland, you can expect average Iceland temperatures of between 1 and 9℃ (34 and 48°F), while average rainfall levels remain between 58mm and 73mm. North Iceland is surprisingly drier, with between 20mm to 41mm of rain on average, and colder, with average temperatures remaining between -3 and 6℃ (27 and 43°F).
Beginning in September and lasting throughout October, fall in Iceland is another short season. The rich autumnal reds, oranges and yellows make Iceland’s natural spaces even more beautiful (if that’s possible!) during fall. During fall in Iceland, you can go whale watching, witness an amazing sunset and join in with the traditional Icelandic tradition of picking berries.
Average fall temperatures in Iceland are usually between 7 and 8ºC (45 to 46ºF). South Iceland sees average temperatures of between 2 and 10ºC (36 to 50ºF) during fall, whereas average temperatures in North Iceland remain around -2 to 6ºC (28 to 43ºF). Don’t be surprised if you see snow or sleet during fall in Iceland!
As for rainfall, you can expect around 155mm in South Iceland and 95mm in North Iceland. The days begin to shorten during fall, with around 9 to 13 hours of daylight in South Iceland and 7 to 12 daylight hours in North Iceland.
Layering is the key rule you need to know in order to dress well for Iceland’s weather. That’s because the weather can be very changeable, so the most experienced travelers are prepared to potentially experience all four seasons in one day!
You’ll need a warm and waterproof outer layer, plus thermal base layers if you’re planning to visit during any of the winter months. We recommend wearing waterproof walking shoes or hiking boots as well, which will come in handy for exploring the various natural spaces all around our beautiful country.
One important point to note about Iceland’s weather is that it could be sunny in one town, but rainy and windy in the next town over. The constant fluctuation of the weather in Iceland means it’s a good idea to look up the local Iceland weather forecast for the area you’re planning to visit and check this regularly for information on up-to-date weather conditions.
Another important thing to check before heading out on your day trip across the island is the current road conditions in Iceland, which will tell you which roads are closed and currently unsafe to drive on due to harsh weather conditions – usually snow and/or ice.
Certain roads are actually closed at specific times of the year, such as the mountainous F-roads in the Icelandic Highlands, which are inaccessible during winter, fall and spring. If you want to travel to the beautifully wild Highlands, you’ll need to plan your Iceland vacation for the summer months.
Ready to experience the magic of Iceland for yourself? What are you waiting for? Start planning your dream Iceland trip today by checking out your accommodation, flight and travel options for the vacation of a lifetime.
By far the best way of exploring this incredible island is renting your own car in Iceland and hitting the road, soaking in all the breathtaking sights, from fiery volcanoes and steamy geothermal pools to expansive glaciers and cascading waterfalls. We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful country soon!