Vatnajökull National Park

Vatnajökull National Park Weather in January

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland in January.

Are you planning a trip a to Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland in January and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.

What to Expect in Vatnajökull National Park in January

Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland is a region in Iceland. January in Vatnajökull National Park generally has temperatures that range from very cold to cold, with heavy precipitation.

Temperatures

The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from very cold in Skaftafell at 1°C (34°F) to cold in Höfn at 4°C (39°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to -1°C (30°F) in Höfn and -5°C (23°F) in Skaftafell. In many areas in Iceland, January brings with it chilling temperatures. When visiting these parts during this time, it's of utmost importance to be ready. Choose clothing that is both layered and insulating to combat the cold effectively.

To learn more about the conditions in specific areas of Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland, check out the map below.

Precipitation

In January, precipitation varies across different areas. From heavy snow/rainfall in Kirkjubæjarklaustur with an average of 198 mm (7.8 in) to heavy snow/rainfall in Skaftafell with 275 mm (11 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine is more restricted in many locations in January. Höfn sees roughly 25 hours of sunlight. Our weather planner can help you find destinations with more sunshine if needed.

Explore Vatnajökull National Park by month

Best Places to Visit in Vatnajökull National Park in January

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Vatnajökull National Park.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

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).

Popular Destinations in Vatnajökull National Park

What is the weather like in January for some of the most popular destinations in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland?

Temperature range in Vatnajökull National Park (January)

Precipitation variation in Vatnajökull National Park (January)

Höfn

In January Höfn generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C (39°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -1°C (30°F) and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
4°C (39°F)
4°C (39°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
-1°C (30°F)
-1°C (30°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Monthly sun hours
17 hours
25 hours
62 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
211 mm (8.3 in)
215 mm (8.5 in)
216 mm (8.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
17 days
14 days
Weather conditions

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

In January Kirkjubæjarklaustur generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C (39°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -2°C (28°F) and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
4°C (39°F)
4°C (39°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
-2°C (28°F)
-2°C (28°F)
-2°C (28°F)
Monthly sun hours
18 hours
33 hours
76 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
210 mm (8.3 in)
198 mm (7.8 in)
215 mm (8.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
19 days
19 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Skaftafell

In January Skaftafell generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 1°C (34°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -5°C (23°F) and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

December
January
February
Max temperature
1°C (34°F)
1°C (34°F)
1°C (34°F)
Min temperature
-5°C (23°F)
-5°C (23°F)
-5°C (23°F)
Monthly sun hours
18 hours
33 hours
76 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
278 mm (11 in)
275 mm (11 in)
294 mm (12 in)
Monthly rainy days
19 days
19 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Vatnajökull National Park, in Iceland.

Popular cities in January

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Vatnajökull National Park in January.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Höfn 4°C (39°F) -1°C (30°F) 215 mm (8.5 in)
Kirkjubæjarklaustur 4°C (39°F) -2°C (28°F) 198 mm (7.8 in)
Skaftafell 1°C (34°F) -5°C (23°F) 275 mm (11 in)

Vatnajökull National Park weather in January: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland in January?

Expect poor weather across Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland in January. The popular destination of Höfn averages 4°C (39°F) by day and -1°C (30°F) at night during this month.

What is the average temperature in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland in January?

Average temperatures in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland during January range from a nighttime low near -1°C (30°F) to a daytime high around 4°C (39°F) in Höfn.

Does Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland get a lot of snow/rain in January?

Yes. January brings heavy snow/rainfall to Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland, with Höfn averaging around 215 mm (8.5 in). Expect frequent showers and pack accordingly.

Is January a Good Time to Visit Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland?

In our view, January might not be the best time to travel to Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland with often poor weather in Höfn.

Generally speaking, provide poor weather in Höfn.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Vatnajökull National Park.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Iceland? Get detailed 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.

Bucket list

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