Here you can learn more about icelands climate and average temperatures, precipitation and wind speed. During these months, the temperatures are pleasant, and the days are long. The old icelandic calendar split the year into just two seasons. This 3day tour of winter wonders is available from november. When you are in iceland, you will probably hear the saying, if you do not like the weather, wait 5 minutes. The climate in iceland is oceanic temperate, meaning that there are distinct seasons. Find the best time to go to reykjavik capital region. There are 26 weeks of winter in iceland, and 26 weeks of summer. Reykjavik is in the south part of the country, and the further north you go there is a greater difference in the temperature.
Homepage icelandic meteorological office icelandic. This means that the temperatures can exceed 0 c 32 f quite often even in winter, and rain can fall instead of snow. The southerly lowlands of the island average around 0c 32f in winter, while the north averages around. It depends what you want to see in iceland as to when you will want to go. The best weather in iceland is from may to august when you can expect pleasant temperatures and long days. Winter in iceland when, how and what whats on in iceland. Iceland is located on both a hotspot and the midatlantic ridge, which runs right through it. Climate and average monthly weather in reykjavik capital. Annual weather averages july is the hottest month in reykjavik with an average temperature of 11c 52f and the coldest is january at 0c 32f with the most daily sunshine hours at 6 in july. Apr 18, 2018 the weather in iceland is ever changing and unpredictable, so you need to be prepared for everything.
Which is when we have our summer solstice 24 hours of daylight. But icelands ice caves arent all natural, though you can go on a tour to see the naturallyformed ice cave beneath the mighty vatnajokull glacier. Climate, seasons, and average monthly temperature spring in iceland. Alternatively, you can visit a manmade ice tunnel built into langjokull glacier, which is a large scale ice sculpture, with carved. The countrys highest recorded air temperature was 30c. Summer months are more moderate, with average temperature being about fifty degrees.
But this is also high season and hotels, tours, and flights should be booked many months in advance. The weather in iceland seems to change faster than anything else in nature. The coldest day of the year is january 24, with an average. Weather todaytomorrow hourbyhour forecast 14 day forecast yesterdaypast weather climate averages upcoming 5 hours. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 28f to 57f and is rarely below 17f or above 62f. The ultimate guide to iceland in november guide to iceland. The best time to visit iceland is from may to august. For people who want to avoid the season of high tourist flow juneaugust and who are afraid of harsh winter conditions, spring and autumn are great times to visit iceland. Recent hurricane seasons have provided painful lessons in the importance of preparing for these destructive storms.
When precipitation has surpassed 1mm per day 24h it is defined as a day with precipitation. The temperatures during this time of year range from anywhere from 45 to 65 degrees fahrenheit, or 7 up to 15 or 16 degrees celsius. Jan 14, 2019 temperatures are expected to rise above zero again at that time, along with moderate winds but steady rain, more heavily falling in the south especially. The average july temperature in the southern part of the island is 10 c 50 55 f. March is wet and windy but the good news is that were getting more sunlight every single day. Reykjavik, greater reykjavik, iceland current weather. In ancient times april was known as harpa, which has feminine associations, perhaps linked to the fertility of the earth beginning to manifest new growth in. While this temperature feels good after the winter in iceland, chances are. Temperatures at reykjavik range from an average of 11c 52 f in july to 1c 30 f in january, with an annual mean of about 5c 41f. An underpopulated island marooned near the top of the globe, iceland is, literally, a country in the making.
In iceland, winter starts at the end of october, following the old norse calendar. April and september are reasonable alternatives with decent weather, shorter days, smaller crowds, and cheaper prices. Surprisingly, the spring months of may and june have the least amount of rain. Reykjavik, iceland average annual weather holiday weather. Nevertheless, there is a noticeable shift in the weather iceland has. So while we have all four seasons here in iceland and sometimes you get all four seasons in one day. Weather statistics for reykjavik, capital region iceland. The warm north atlantic current ensures generally higher annual. It might be sunny one minute and then pouring the next. The island lies in the path of the north atlantic current, which makes its climate more temperate than would be expected for its latitude just south of the arctic circle. This calendar only consists of two seasons, winter and summer. Iceland weather by month what is the climate like on a. Dont for a minute think its all about the great outdoors. On the first day of winter the merchants on skolavor.
Dec 10, 2018 the weather in iceland is ever changing and unpredictable, so you need to be prepared for everything. Average temperatures in july are about 12 degrees centigrade in reykjavik. Iceland winter weather is definitely cold, but you just need to bundle up correctly to face the elements. The tables below list the normal november temperatures and precipitation for cities and towns in iceland. Although iceland is located just south of the arctic circle, it does have four distinct seasons which offer boundless adventure opportunities and dramatic displays of vibrant life.
Climate and average monthly weather in akureyri north. Many icelanders think the summer tourists dont know what theyre missing. The two seasons are quite distinct but the swing in temperature is small. Its a vast volcanic laboratory where mighty forces shape the earth. I have seen iceland when the temperatures can range up from 18 until 20 degrees celsius, but this is so super rare, and i would not prepare for that. Climate and average weather for reykjavik capital region, iceland displayed in graphs. The weather in iceland is ever changing and unpredictable, so you need to be prepared for everything. Winters are particularly cold in reykjavik, with high temperatures averaging only about twenty seven degrees. The icelandic winter is relatively mild for its latitude, owing to maritime influence and proximity to the warm currents of the north atlantic gyre. The climate of iceland is subpolar oceanic koppen climate classification cfc near the southern coastal area and tundra koppen et inland in the highlands. Winters are remarkably mild with the average january temperature in reykjavik 0. Spring might be the best time of year to visit icelandaside from. July and august are considered to be the season with a lot of tourists.
Reykjavik is a beautiful travel destination, but it might be considered very cold by tourists coming from warmer locations. Nov 01, 2019 the best weather in iceland is from may to august when you can expect pleasant temperatures and long days. The highest peak in iceland is hvannadalshnukur, which is part of or. In iceland you will find the warmest climate from the middle of june to the end of august. Light southerly or variable winds with light snow showers in the south and west parts, but dry elsewhere. Iceland has four seasons, although we do not always notice, because the weather changes constantly.
In reykjavik, the summers are short, cool, and mostly cloudy and the winters are long, very cold, wet, windy, and overcast. Few facts about iceland useful information iceland travel. Theres also information on this months average sunshine and humidity levels. Along the northern coast, winter is colder by a few degrees, and sometimes the sea can freeze inside fjords. The wettest month is january with an average of 50mm of rain. The highest temperature recorded in iceland was 30. The average temperature in reykjavik is around 12c 3335f in wintertime and around 12. Average temperature at july in qaqortoq is 10 c 50 f and in nuuk is 8 c 46 f. Icelands summer season runs from june through september and can be surprisingly warm. However, this is the high travel season, so the flights, tours, and hotels should be booked earlier. Spring in iceland sees the transition into summer and a gradual rising of the temperatures. We are ever so slightly warming up and getting ready for the festivals and.
Iceland weather iceland, europe forecast tripadvisor. Summer is the height of tourist season in iceland, and in midsummerduring the entire months of june and julydaylight. Iceland does not have a rainy season, but precipitation peaks in october to february, with the southern and western parts receiving the most. This location means that the island is highly geologically active with many volcanoes. Iceland climate, average weather, temperatures, rainfall. Temperatures are at their warmest, averaging from 45 to 60 degrees fahrenheit, but not uncommon to experience days well.
The other special feature of icelands climate is the seasonal change in the length of day and night, creating unique weather phenomena. Iceland is a place, thats often in the top 10 of a mustsee list. Winter in iceland is not so cold, in fact, the average temperature in plains and coasts is around the freezing point. Weather in iceland in august 2020 climate, temperature. March also marks the end of aurora borealis season in iceland, so be sure to catch mother natures light show. Climate and average weather for akureyri north iceland, iceland displayed in graphs. If youve missed the high season, april and september are no way inferior to the months above. However, travelers to iceland should be prepared for the unexpected. Average weather in reykjavik, iceland, year round weather spark. Summer in iceland means that the sun is out all the time, even late at night.
Best time to visit iceland pros and cons of each season. Temperatures in reykjavik can drop down to about 10 c, with a high of almost 10 c. Climate, average weather of iceland of the land area, 100% has a temperate mesothermal climate with significant precipitation in all seasons cf. Check the current conditions for reykjavik, greater reykjavik, iceland for the day ahead, with radar, hourly, and up to the minute forecasts. Best time to visit iceland pros and cons of each season iceland. Reykjavik weather reykjavik, capital region forecast. Increasing east and later northeast winds in the afternoon and becoming overcast, 1825 ms in the. The start of summer in iceland is a period of white nights.
Aug 12, 2019 the best time to visit iceland for great weather is during the summer high season. The temperatures in iceland are much milder than most people expect for its northern location. If it is, heres the iceland weather by month to help you make a decision about when you might make this onceinalifetime trip. The climate is subarctic see more about seasons and climate. The best time to visit iceland for great weather is during the summer high season. Jan 30, 2020 however, the settlers of iceland followed the norse calendar which was divided into just two seasons, winter and summer. The graph shows average amount of days 24h with precipitation during a month. However, the settlers of iceland followed the norse calendar which was divided into just two seasons, winter and summer. Iceland has a concentrated tourist season, peaking from midjune through august.
July and august have average highs around c 55f however temperatures can be as high 20c 68f. Find useful tips on what to wear in iceland in the different seasons. And yet, iceland is probably the warmest arctic country in the world. Find the best time to go to akureyri north iceland. I have seen iceland when the temperatures can range up from 18 until 20 degrees. This explains why summer would be celebrated so early. This period is the most suitable for visiting blue lagoon. The climate in iceland in august ranges from tolerable to bad depending on the region and city. The measures of climate are averages of data collected at weather stations from 1961 to 1990. Temperatures usually average around 57 f 14 c, but highs up to 68 f 20 c arent unheard of. The temperatures in the summertime are warm, and during the wintertime are cold.
However, travelers to iceland should be prepared for the unexpected, usually towards the colder and wetter side of things. Here in iceland, the sun will set later and later during the evening the closer we get to the 21st of june. The largest town in the north of iceland, akureyri, generally receives more warmer days during summer but still averaging lower than reykjavik, around 11c or 52f. That month is not the best month to spend holidays in iceland. Because of the gulf stream effect, the coast stays relatively mild year round. Best time to visit iceland especially in 2020 iceland. The temperature is pretty mild throughout the year and there is not as drastic of a change between summer and winter temperatures as there is in new york for example. What makes the difference is mainly the amount of daylight and the type of precipitation. Temperatures are expected to rise above zero again at that time, along with moderate winds but steady rain, more heavily falling in the south especially. It is often said that in iceland, one can experience two or three seasons in a single day. The counterpoint to so much natural beauty is found in icelands cultural life, which celebrates a literary legacy that stretches from medieval sagas to contemporary thrillers by way of nobel prize winners.
Best time to visit iceland 2018 and the weather bonadvisor. Iceland offers plenty to do in spring, fall, even winter, and prices are dramatically lower for airfares, car rentals, and accommodations. During these seasons we would particularly recommend the skaftafell national park. According to the longterm supervision, the warmest summer month here is july.