Iceland Airwaves Festival
On its way to its 20th edition in 2019 Iceland Airwaves is a festival you need to visit once in your life. Everything from lagoons and bookstores to bars and concert halls is filled with music.
October in Reykjavík brings low temperatures, with highs of 8°C (46°F) and nights dropping to 2°C (36°F). Rainfall is on the higher side this month, averaging around 122 mm (4.8 in), so keep a rain jacket handy.
October in Reykjavík has its charm. However, if you're seeking pleasant, dry and sunny weather, our weather planner can help you explore other destinations in the world.
Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in Reykjavík - and find the best time to visit.
50-year average (1976-2025)
Based on our historical records, temperatures in Reykjavík typically drop from around 9°C (48°F) at the start of October to approximately 6°C (43°F) by the end. Nights are cold, with lows typically ranging from 1°C (34°F) to 5°C (41°F).
50-year average (1976-2025)
Average daily rainfall for each day of the month based on long-term records.
Browse day-by-day weather records for Reykjavík spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.
Our historical data for Reykjavík spans 1976 to 2025, revealing these weather extremes.
Find out more about the weather in Iceland and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of Iceland in October →
Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).
Dress warmly and in layers for your trip to Reykjavík in October. A good base layer system works wonders. Start with good thermal underwear, add something warm like a fleece sweater, then finish with a waterproof jacket on top. Expect heavy rainfall, so bring good rain protection and waterproof bags. With water temperatures around 9°C (48°F), the water is quite cold for swimming. You can skip the swimwear unless you're particularly tough. You can probably leave your sunglasses at home, because sunny days are pretty rare this month.
We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.
Temperature Rainfall Sunshine Humidity Wind Speed Water Temp
See the full Reykjavík climate overview or explore weather in Iceland.
Where to go in October - average daytime high across popular destinations.
Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.
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