LivingTravelWeather in Iceland: climate, seasons and average monthly temperature

Weather in Iceland: climate, seasons and average monthly temperature

If you plan to visit Iceland, the most popular travel times are during the summer months, May through August, when you can enjoy many hours of daylight. December is also popular for winter holidays, although it will be quite dark during that time. Check the current local weather conditions in Iceland before you go!

Iceland, near the Arctic Circle, actually has a cold and temperate climate due to the North Atlantic Current carrying warm waters from the Gulf Stream north, ensuring generally higher temperatures for Iceland than in most places of similar latitude in the world.

Iceland’s climate includes typical Scandinavian conditions, but there are some variations between different parts of the island: the south coast tends to be warmer, wetter, and windier than the north, and snowfall in winter is more common in the north than in the north. south. Known as the Land of Ice and Fire due to its many volcanoes, Iceland is always subject to the possibility of volcanic activity.

Iceland’s highest air temperature on record was 86.9 degrees Fahrenheit (30.5 degrees Celsius) in 1939 on the southeast coast, and the lowest temperature was minus 36.4 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 38 C) in 1918 at Grímsstaðir in northeast Iceland. Temperature records for Reykjavik were 76.6 degrees Fahrenheit (24.8 degrees Celsius) in 2004 and minus 12.1 degrees Fahrenheit (minus -24.5 degrees Celsius) in 1918.

Winters in this island country are mild and windy, and summers are cold, which are both

Fast facts

  • Coldest Month: January and February, 28 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 2 degrees Celsius)
  • Warmest Month: July, 57 degrees Fahrenheit (14 degrees Celsius)
  • Wettest Month: October, 3.7 inches

Spring in iceland

Spring could be the best time of year to visit Iceland, aside from the summer tourist season, due to its cool weather, normal daylight hours (compared to North America), and significantly cheaper prices for accommodation, flights and travel.

Spring first arrives in April, bringing with it warmer temperatures and the first signs of green grass and flowers. Travelers can fish, watch whales and birds, play golf, ride horses through the snowmelt landscape, or even visit an off-season ski lodge to watch the snow melt off the mountains.

What to pack: Temperature averages range from 39 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius) in early April to 50 F (10 C) in June, so you’ll still need to pack warmer clothes, especially for slightly cooler nights.

Average temperatures per month:

  • Marzo: 39 F (4 C) / 30 F (menos 1 C)
  • Abril: 43 F (6 C) / 34 F (1 C)
  • Mayo: 50 F (10 C) / 39 F (4 C)

Summer in iceland

Summer is the peak of the tourist season in Iceland, and in midsummer, during the full months of June and July, daylight takes over during a time known as the Midnight Sun, when there is no darkness at night.

There are many outdoor activities such as horseback riding, hiking, and even swimming, but many theaters, operas, and symphony performances are put on hold during this busy time of year when Icelanders take their summer vacations.

What to pack: It is never very hot in Iceland due to the Gulf Stream bringing cooler air into the country during the nightless summer, so bring a light jacket even in the hottest season.

Average temperatures per month:

  • Junio: 54 F (12 C) / 45 F (7 C)
  • Julio: 57 F (14 C) / 48 F (9 C)
  • Agosto: 57 F (14 C) / 46 F (8 C)

Fall in iceland

As September approaches, bringing the night back, the tourist season ends abruptly and many museums outside of Reykjavik close until the following summer. However, there is still a lot to do in the fall.

Be aware that because the Gulf Stream brings the softer air from the Atlantic Ocean into contact with the colder Arctic air, the skies are frequently covered by wind and rain and sudden changes in the weather, you may experience four! stations in one day!

October through December is also the rainy season in Iceland, making outdoor adventures harder to find. Still, with cultural events like plays, musicals, and orchestral performances resuming out of season, there’s plenty to entertain you during the fall.

What to pack: You will need to pack a variety of clothes for fall, given the diverse climate. Whatever happens, it is the wettest season in Iceland, so proper waterproof clothing, especially a coat and boots, is a must.

Average temperatures per month:

  • Septiembre: 51 F (11 C) / 43 F (6 C) 
  • Octubre: 45 F (7 C) / 37 F (3 C)
  • Noviembre: 39 F (4 C) / 32 F (0 C)

Winter in iceland

Airfare prices are drastically lower in the winter season due to a decrease in tourists traveling to the country, but keep in mind that Christmas and holiday trips will be slightly more expensive than other non-peak travel days. .

In the dead of winter, there is also a period of absence of sunlight, and darkness prevails during a phenomenon known as polar nights, which is a perfect time to see the northern lights (aurora borealis).

Thanks again to the Gulf Stream air, winters tend to be milder than in other parts of the world; in fact, New York’s winter is much colder even though it’s technically further south in the world.

What to pack: Pack warm layers, including sweaters, multiple base layers, and a thick coat or jacket. Sturdy and warm footwear is also a must.

Average temperatures per month:

  • December: 36 F (2 C) / 30 F (minus 1 C)
  • January: 36 F (2 C) / 28 F (minus 2 C)
  • February: 37 F (3 C) / 28 F (minus 2 C)

Average monthly temperature, rainfall and hours of daylight

Iceland is not as cold as many people think it is, and the light of the Midnight Sun, which lasts most of the day, is a spectacular adventure.

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