Iceland weather by month in one place
Winter days in Reykjavík hover around freezing, and summer days reach the low to mid teens °C. Even the warmest month is cool by most travelers' standards. Weather can also change quickly, so treat every average as a starting point.
The tables below use typical averages for 1991 to 2020 at two stations: Reykjavík in the southwest and Akureyri in the north. They are rounded to whole degrees. Maximum and minimum mean the average daily high and low, not record extremes. Rain is the monthly total. The numbers describe those two towns, not the whole country, and they are not a forecast.
Reykjavík: typical temperatures and rain by month
Typical averages for 1991 to 2020, rounded. Temperatures in °C with °F in brackets, rain in millimeters (25 mm is about 1 inch).
| Month | Average high °C (°F) | Average low °C (°F) | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3 (37) | −2 (28) | 87 |
| February | 3 (37) | −2 (28) | 91 |
| March | 4 (39) | −1 (30) | 81 |
| April | 7 (45) | 1 (34) | 59 |
| May | 10 (50) | 4 (39) | 53 |
| June | 13 (55) | 7 (45) | 43 |
| July | 15 (59) | 9 (48) | 50 |
| August | 14 (57) | 9 (48) | 65 |
| September | 11 (52) | 6 (43) | 87 |
| October | 8 (46) | 3 (37) | 80 |
| November | 5 (41) | 0 (32) | 87 |
| December | 3 (37) | −2 (28) | 95 |
The capital is wettest from September to March and driest from April to July. July is the warmest month, but even then the average high is only about 15 °C (59 °F).
Tours that fit the weather
Indoor-friendly, all-season and seasonal tours across Iceland, with live prices and availability.
Akureyri: the north is colder in winter and drier all year
Same method, same period, rounded. Akureyri sits in a fjord in the north.
| Month | Average high °C (°F) | Average low °C (°F) | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3 (37) | −4 (25) | 60 |
| February | 3 (37) | −4 (25) | 52 |
| March | 4 (39) | −3 (27) | 47 |
| April | 7 (45) | 0 (32) | 26 |
| May | 10 (50) | 3 (37) | 24 |
| June | 14 (57) | 7 (45) | 21 |
| July | 15 (59) | 9 (48) | 34 |
| August | 15 (59) | 8 (46) | 41 |
| September | 12 (54) | 5 (41) | 53 |
| October | 7 (45) | 1 (34) | 74 |
| November | 4 (39) | −2 (28) | 68 |
| December | 3 (37) | −4 (25) | 73 |
Winter lows in Akureyri sit a few degrees below Reykjavík, and the typical rain is lower in every month. In June the typical total is about 21 mm, against 43 mm in the capital. Akureyri's wettest months are October to December.
Daylight in Reykjavík by month
Sunrise, sunset and daylight length for the 1st and the 15th of each month in 2026, in local time on the 24-hour clock. Twilight is not included.
| Month | Sunrise, 1st | Sunset, 1st | Daylight, 1st (h:min) | Sunrise, 15th | Sunset, 15th | Daylight, 15th (h:min) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11:19 | 15:43 | 4:24 | 10:54 | 16:20 | 5:25 |
| February | 10:08 | 17:15 | 7:07 | 09:23 | 18:01 | 8:38 |
| March | 08:35 | 18:46 | 10:10 | 07:46 | 19:28 | 11:42 |
| April | 06:45 | 20:19 | 13:33 | 05:56 | 21:01 | 15:05 |
| May | 05:00 | 21:51 | 16:51 | 04:13 | 22:37 | 18:24 |
| June | 03:23 | 23:30 | 20:07 | 02:57 | 23:59 | 21:02 |
| July | 03:05 | 23:56 | 20:50 | 03:41 | 23:24 | 19:43 |
| August | 04:34 | 22:31 | 17:56 | 05:18 | 21:43 | 16:24 |
| September | 06:10 | 20:43 | 14:33 | 06:50 | 19:53 | 13:02 |
| October | 07:36 | 18:56 | 11:20 | 08:17 | 18:07 | 9:49 |
| November | 09:10 | 17:10 | 7:59 | 09:56 | 16:27 | 6:30 |
| December | 10:45 | 15:47 | 5:01 | 11:16 | 15:29 | 4:12 |
The change is fast. Between 1 January and 1 June, daylight grows from about 4.5 hours to about 20 hours. After the solstice on 21 June 2026 the days shorten again. Light also depends on the place: further north, summer nights are brighter, and winter days are shorter.
What the weather means season by season
Each month has its own page with the details.
December to February
Highs of about 3 °C (37 °F) in both towns, lows below freezing and daylight between roughly 4 and 9 hours. Snow, ice and wind affect driving. See Iceland in winter and Iceland in January.
March to May
The big change. Highs climb from 4 °C in March to 10 °C in May, and daylight grows from about 10 hours to nearly 17 on 1 May. Akureyri's average low is still around freezing in April. See Iceland in April.
June to August
Highs of 13 to 15 °C (55 to 59 °F) and the longest days. These are not beach temperatures: bring a warm layer and a rain jacket. See Iceland in summer.
September to November
Highs fall from 11 to 12 °C in September to 4 to 5 °C in November, and the rain increases. Daylight drops from about 14.5 hours to about 8 hours. See Iceland in October.
Averages are not a promise
A single month can differ a lot from the table.
July 2026 as an example
The Met Office monthly report for July 2026 shows how far a real month can stray. Reykjavík was cooler than its long-term average, while Akureyri was warmer. Reykjavík collected about 103 mm of rain, twice its typical 50 mm, while Akureyri got only about 8 mm against a typical 34 mm.
Warnings come in colors
The Icelandic Met Office uses yellow for potentially dangerous weather, orange for significant effects on traffic and infrastructure, and red for extreme danger. Check the warnings and the road status on the day you drive. For roads, see road conditions by season.
Water is cold all year
The Silfra fissure in Þingvellir National Park stays at 2 to 4 °C (36 to 39 °F), so divers there use dry suits. Silfra and other water activities are on the things to do page.
Iceland weather: frequently asked questions
What is the warmest month in Iceland?
July, with a typical high of about 15 °C (59 °F) in both Reykjavík and Akureyri. August is almost as warm.
What is the coldest month in Iceland?
In these averages, February and January are the coldest, with December close behind. Typical lows are about −2 °C (28 °F) in Reykjavík and −4 °C (25 °F) in Akureyri. Individual days can be much colder.
Which month has the least rain?
In Reykjavík, June is the driest month with about 43 mm. In Akureyri, May and June are the driest, at about 24 mm and 21 mm.
How many hours of daylight does Iceland have in winter?
In Reykjavík in 2026, daylight is about 4 hours 24 minutes on 1 January, about 5 hours on 1 December and about 4 hours 12 minutes on 15 December. By 1 March it is over 10 hours.
What should I pack for Iceland?
Layers, a windproof and waterproof outer shell, and sturdy shoes work in every month. In winter add warm hats and gloves, and traction for your shoes. In summer, a warm layer is still needed.
Are these official weather figures?
No. This is an independent guide, and the tables show rounded typical averages for 1991 to 2020. For forecasts and warnings, use the Icelandic Met Office.