Reykjavík weather in January (Capital Region, Iceland)

What does the weather outlook for Reykjavík look like in January? Check out this detailed guide to the month’s weather conditions.

Temperatures

In January, Reykjavík typically experiences low temperatures and high snow/rainfall. The winter season takes place during January. The temperature during the day can rise to approximately 3°C. At night, it falls to around -3°C. This month is known for being the coldest, so make sure you pack appropriately with plenty of warm clothing.

Precipitation

Reykjavík in January usually receives high snow/rainfall, averaging around 138 mm for the month. Looking at the last 30 years, the data shows about 18 days with snow/rain.

Average sunshine

The month is characterized by fewer sunny days, with roughly 20 hours hours of sunshine. Ideal for those who prefer a cooler, cloudier climate.

If you prefer dry days with pleasant temperatures, January may not be the ideal month to visit Reykjavík. June and July typically offer the most optimal weather. In contrast, January, February, March, April, September, October, November and December tend to have less optimal conditions.

For an in-depth look at the yearly conditions, visit our specialized Reykjavík climate page with graphs.

 

Reykjavík, monthly averages in January

Min Temperature -3°C  

Max Temperature 3°C  

Water Temperature 6°C  

Chance of Rain 61%  

Precipitation 138 mm  

Rainy days 18 days  

Humidity 78%  

Windspeed 22 km/h  

Sunshine 20 hours  

Percentage Sunshine 12%  

Where to go in Iceland in January

Find out more about the weather in Iceland and which places have the best travel conditions in this month.

Weather conditions Weather

Temperatures

Precipitation

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Legend perfect weather pleasant tolerable unpleasant poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C and 29°C and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm a month).

So, what should you wear in this month?

Wear a base layer in cold weather; this is the #1 thing you can do to increase your overall body temperature. With a water temperature of around 6°C there is no need to bring your swimwear.

What To Do

We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.

Swimming

4/10

Cycling

3/10

Walking

3/10

Camping

1/10

Outdoor sports

3/10

Interested in more climate information?

This site provides you with all the information you need about the climate in Reykjavík.

Our site offers climate and forecast data for every country in the world. Are you going to Iceland? On this website you can find historical weather averages for many cities in Iceland. Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.