Iceland’s weather varies greatly by month, impacting travel experiences. Winter offers snowy landscapes, while summer provides long daylight hours. Understanding Iceland’s average temperatures and precipitation can aid trip planning.
- Winter: Cold, snowy, great for Northern Lights.
- Spring: Warmer, less precipitation.
- Summer: Warmest, rain common, Midnight Sun.
- Autumn: Cooler, increasing rain, start of Northern Lights season.
In Iceland, there’s a season for everything.
Do you enjoy beautiful snow-covered landscapes and the incredible experience of hopping into a geothermal pool heated by volcanic energy in cold temperatures? Want to experience Iceland when fewer fellow tourists are around? A wintertime visit may be exactly what you’re looking for. Plus, with our signature heating technology, a trip around Iceland in one of our Cozy Campers will keep you warm as you hunt for the northern lights!
Want to fully enjoy the great outdoors, experience the incredible and unique midnight sun with its many hours of daylight, and travel all across the country? A vacation during months with warmer temperatures will check off all of those boxes.
Understanding the local climate can make planning your trip a little easier. So, what should you expect weather-wise when you travel to Iceland? Keep reading to learn about the weather in Iceland on a month-by-month basis.
Iceland Weather, Month by Month
A few important pieces of context before we begin:
Iceland covers nearly 40,000 square miles — it’s about the size of Kentucky. To keep things simple, we’re sharing the averages for Reykjavik, Iceland’s weather by month.
Remember that the southern coast (where Reykjavik and much of the population is located) has warmer weather and more precipitation than the rest of the coast. The inland areas, like the Central Highlands, are colder still. Certain roads, including many of the F-roads that provide access to the Highlands, close in wintertime. Mountain regions will have colder temps the further north and the higher you go.
Monthly mean temperatures come from data collected between 1991 and 2020 by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and shared in spreadsheet format.
With that explained, let’s dive in!
Iceland Weather by Month in Fahrenheit
Iceland Weather in January
January is among the coldest months in Iceland. The monthly average temperature for January in Reykjavik is 33.3 degrees Fahrenheit and 0.7 degrees Celsius. There is precipitation, mostly snow, roughly half of the days each month in January.
Iceland Weather in February
February is another very cold month. As with the other winter months, it offers Gluggaveður or “window weather” — weather that’s nice to look at through the window, but less nice to experience directly. The average temperature is 32.9 degrees Fahrenheit and 0.5 degrees Celsius. There is precipitation (generally snow) about half of the days in February.
Iceland Weather in March
March remains pretty cool in Reykjavik, with an average temperature of 32.4 degrees and 0.5 degrees Celsius. However, it starts the transition out of winter in Iceland, which speeds up in April. Once again, precipitation occurs about half of the days of the month on average. March also marks the end of prime Northern Lights viewing season.
Iceland Weather in April
April in Reykjavik warms up to about 39 degrees Fahrenheit and 4 degrees Celsius on average. Precipitation also starts to drop off during the first full month of spring in Iceland, happening about one out of every three days.
Iceland Weather in May
May brings even warmer temperatures, with a monthly average of 44.1 degrees Fahrenheit and 6.6 degrees Celsius. You can expect precipitation about one out of every three days this time of year. May is also the last month before summer when light snow is common.
H4: Iceland Weather in June
The end of June kicks off the Icelandic summer, with temperatures rising to an average of just under 50 degrees Fahrenheit and 10 degrees Celsius. You can once again expect precipitation (exclusively rain) one out of every three days. The Midnight Sun is at its peak in June, meaning at its peak daylight lasts for 24 hours on the continent.
Iceland Weather in July
July offers the warmest temperatures of the summer months, with an average of about 53 degrees Fahrenheit or 11.6 degrees Celsius. Rainfall happening about 10 days a month is common.
Iceland Weather in August
The more temperate weather of Icelandic summer continues into August, with a monthly average temp of 51.8 degrees Fahrenheit or 11.6 degrees Celsius. Rainfall often picks up in August, with about half the days of the month including some precipitation. When it starts to get icy in the Fall the 4×4 Camper Vans are the only vehicle to get up the mountainous terrain.
Iceland Weather in September
As the seasons in Iceland start to change once again, September brings a cooler average temperature of 47.3 degrees Fahrenheit or 8.5 degrees Celsius. Rain is common, occurring on average once every three days. From September to May, depending on weather conditions, certain areas may be closed to travel due to snow and ice.
Iceland Weather in October
Temperatures drop to a monthly average of 40.8 degrees Fahrenheit or 5 degrees Celsius in October, as daily sunlight also decreases and prime Northern Lights viewing time begins. Expect precipitation about one out of every three days on average as snow returns to the forecast.
Iceland Weather in November
November continues the trend of less daylight, but it’s also the best time to see the Northern Lights. Temperatures start to dip down again to an average of 36.8 degrees Fahrenheit or 3 degrees Celsius. Snowfall and rainfall are both common in November.
Iceland Weather in December
Expect temperatures just above freezing on average in December (33.4 degrees Fahrenheit on average or 0 degrees Celsius). Snowfall averages 7 inches during this month, and you’ll see rain or snow on average every other day.
Get Ready to Explore Iceland with Cozy Campers!
No matter the season, our safe, reliable, and comfortable campers are perfect for trips to Iceland across all seasons. Be mindful of weather and region as you chart your own course in one of our campers. From hunting the Northern lights to enjoying extra daylight during the summer you can enjoy everything Iceland has to offer!
Travel with the Coziest Camper Rental in Iceland
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