Reykjavík weather in January (Capital Region, Iceland)
Looking to travel to Reykjavík in January? Here's what the weather might have in store during this month.
In January, Reykjavík generally has low temperatures and high snow/rainfall. January falls within the winter season. Throughout the daytime, temperatures often hover around 3°C. However, as the sun sets and evening approaches, there's a noticeable cool-down, with temperatures gently dropping to a more temperate -3°C. Typically, it's the chilliest month of the year. Ensure you're prepared by packing appropriate winter gear.
Reykjavík in January usually receives high snow/rainfall, averaging around 138 mm for the month. Delving into the climate records from the past 30 years, one can predict that nearly 18 days of the month will see snow/rainfall.
The area experiences limited sunny days, amounting to roughly 20 hours of sunshine. This makes it perfect for those who lean towards cooler, cloudier settings rather than intense sunlit days
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 in January and which places have the best weather conditions in this month.
perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor
So, what should you wear in Reykjavík in January?
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 in January.
Interested in more climate information?
Weather and Climate 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 climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.
