Weather in Reykjavik

Planning your day in Reykjavik? In this section, you will find up-to-date weather information, detailed forecasts, and useful charts to help you prepare for any whims of the Icelandic weather.

The climate in Reykjavik, the capital of Iceland, can be described as subarctic maritime. This means you can expect cool summers and relatively mild but windy winters. The weather in Reykjavik is known for its variability, so be prepared for a sunny day to quickly turn rainy or vice versa, regardless of the season.

Reykjavik has four distinct seasons. Winters (December to March) are quite cold, with average temperatures around 0°C, frequent snowfall, and very few hours of daylight. Summers (June to August) are cool; the average temperature rarely rises above 10-13°C, but this is the time of the famous "midnight sun." Spring and autumn are transitional seasons with changeable weather, ranging from low positive temperatures to moderately cool conditions.

One of the characteristic features of the weather in Reykjavik is the high number of days with precipitation throughout the year, although the precipitation itself is usually not very heavy. This can be rain or sleet, especially during the shoulder seasons and winter. Strong winds are also not uncommon, particularly in the colder months, which can significantly affect the "feels like" temperature.

The temperature regime in Reykjavik is characterized by cool summers and relatively mild, yet cold, winters. The annual temperature variation is quite restrained, without extreme heat peaks or severe frosts. The warmest month is July, when the average temperature reaches 11.1°C, and daily highs can rise to 13.6°C. Following this is August with an average temperature of 10.5°C. The coldest months are January (average temperature -2.4°C) and December (average temperature -2.3°C), when the thermometer can drop to -4.9°C and -4.5°C at night, respectively.

The summer months in Reykjavik, from June to August, bring pleasant but not hot warmth. Average daily temperatures range from 9.0°C in June to 11.1°C in July. Even on the warmest days, the maximum temperature rarely exceeds 13-14°C, creating comfortable conditions for walking and exploring the city without exhausting heat. Nighttime temperatures in summer drop to 6-8°C, so a light jacket or sweater will not go amiss even in July. Daily temperature fluctuations in summer are small; the difference between the daily high and nightly low is usually around 5°C.

Winter in the Icelandic capital, covering the period from December to February, is distinguished by consistently low temperatures, though without the severe frosts typical of a continental climate. The average temperature during these months stays just below freezing, varying from -2.4°C in January to -1.5°C in February. Nighttime lows can reach -4°C to -5°C, while daytime highs most often remain around 0°C or slightly above. The transitional seasons, spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), show a gradual change in temperatures: from near-zero values in March (average -0.1°C) to 6.1°C in May, and from 7.6°C in September to 0.9°C in November. Fluctuations between day and night temperatures in winter are also moderate, around 4-5°C.

Precipitation in Reykjavik, according to the provided data, falls quite frequently throughout the year, but the total volume is small. Every month, 15 to 20 "wet" days are recorded, with precipitation amounts ranging between 3-5 mm. This suggests that frequent but light precipitation, such as drizzle or light rain/snow, is more characteristic of the Icelandic capital than intense downpours or heavy snowfalls.

The type of precipitation in Reykjavik changes depending on the season and air temperature. In winter months, such as January (average temperature -2.4°C) and December (-2.3°C), as well as in February (-1.5°C), precipitation mainly falls as snow or sleet. With the arrival of warmth, for example in July (average temperature 11.1°C) and August (10.5°C), precipitation takes the form of rain. During transitional periods – spring (March, April, May) and autumn (September, October, November) – mixed precipitation is possible, including rain and sleet, especially when the temperature hovers around freezing, as in March (-0.1°C) or November (0.9°C).

When speaking of the "wettest" and "driest" periods, the difference between months in terms of precipitation amount is minimal. February and September stand out as the months with the highest volume of precipitation (5 mm each). The lowest amount (3 mm) is recorded in June, July, August, October, and December. Regarding the frequency of precipitation, May is the month with the highest number of "wet" days – 20. Precipitation occurs least frequently in June, August, and November, with 15 days of precipitation each. Thus, there is no distinct rainy season or dry period in Reykjavik; rather, one should expect changeable weather with a chance of light precipitation in any month.

When packing your suitcase for Reykjavik, remember that Icelandic weather is famous for its unpredictability. The key principle is layering. Regardless of the season, your main protection will be a waterproof and windproof jacket. Given that precipitation, although not heavy (averaging 3-5 mm per month), occurs frequently (15-20 "wet" days per month), waterproof trousers and sturdy, waterproof shoes with non-slip soles will be very useful. Even in summer, average temperatures are modest, so warm items like fleece jackets, wool sweaters, or thermal underwear (especially as a base layer) will be relevant.

In winter (December to March), when the average temperature often drops below freezing (from -2.4°C to -0.1°C) and snowfalls are not uncommon, you cannot do without a very warm winter jacket, preferably with a hood, warm thermal underwear, several layers of warm clothing, as well as a hat, scarf, and waterproof gloves or mittens. Don't forget warm socks! In spring and autumn, the weather is very changeable, so the layering principle is especially important here – be prepared for both sunny spells and chilly wind with rain or sleet, as temperatures range from near-zero to +7-8°C.

Even in summer (June to August), when Reykjavik has its warmest days with an average temperature of around 9-11°C (maximum up to 13.6°C), a light hat, gloves, and a scarf may come in handy, especially in the evening or during windy weather. Don't forget sunglasses – the sun can be bright, and a sleep mask if you plan to travel during the "midnight sun" period. At any time of the year, bring a swimsuit to visit the famous geothermal springs and pools, sunscreen (UV radiation can be strong even on cloudy days), and a small, comfortable backpack for walks and excursions.