Climate and Weather of Iceland
When you think about the climate in Iceland you might think of extremely cold weather. But, contrary to what the name suggests, it is often warmer in Iceland than you think. Iceland is warmed by the Gulf Stream and has a maritime climate, changing to a tundra climate despite its high latitude just outside the Arctic Circle.The average temperature in Iceland is between -3°C and + 6°C during winter months. Since the country is close to the North Pole there are only a few hours of daylight in the coldest months of the year. Most travelers do not go further than the South West in winter, but with a 4 × 4 you can still travel around the island.
Striking for Iceland is often quite rough weather that fits the equally rugged landscape of the island. The many depressions that are rushed over the country often result in harsh weather conditions of rain (or snow) in combination with strong winds. From December to April there is a lot of snow in Iceland.
In summer (June, July and August) Iceland has an average temperature between 10°C and 15°C. This is the best travel period due to the highest chance of clear and sunny days. If you want to avoid the summer crowds, you can also visit Iceland in the months of May, September and October. Although further inland some hotels might already or still be closed.
Are you interested in more detailed information for various cities in Iceland?
Please select the city you plan to visit, or one closest to your destination. For each selected city, you will see the following graphs:
1. Yearly average minimum and maximum temperatures
2. Monthly averages of precipitation throughout the year (rainfall, snow etc)
3. Monthly average hours of sunshine throughout the year
Additionally, some pages provide historical weather data such as humidity, wind speed, and water temperature.