Reykjavik, Iceland: When to Go and Weather

Weather: Names can be deceiving. Iceland isn't freezing and constantly covered in snow: it enjoys a temperate ocean climate with mild summers and winters. Reykjavik is situated in Iceland's southwest on the shore of the Faxaflói Bay, and the city receives gusty winds and precipitation frequently throughout the four seasons. The north Atlantic location means short daylight hours in winter, but warm waters from the Gulf Stream prevent winters from being as chilly as visitors expect.

Summer: The locals' favorite season is summer. The temperatures usually remain in the lower 70s, and although rain is always possible, some weeks bring nothing but sunshine. The average temperature is 60 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 2 inches.

Fall: Reykjavik weather is, again, unpredictable. Daylight hours start diminishing and temperatures fall in October, but September offers many warm afternoons ideal for outdoor activities. The average temperature is 45 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 3.2 inches.

Winter: Reykjavik weather is chilly and precipitation is frequent during Iceland's winter. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, the temperatures don't dip too low. The average temperature is 32 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 3 inches.

Spring: Cold, wet winds and warm sunny days are both possible in spring. The average temperature is 42 degrees F and the average monthly rainfall is 1.8 inches.

Looking for local weather reports in English? Try the Iceland Review (icelandreview.com) or the Reykjavik Grapevine (www.grapevine.is).

When to Go: Peak Season
June, July, and August are green and comfortable in Reykjavik. The peak summer season sees moderate temperatures in the 70s and a more or less equal number of sunny and rainy days. The air is fresh and cool, and weather patterns are quick to change, so visitors should prepare for the ups and downs by wearing layers of clothing. Most summer visitors to Iceland choose Reykjavik as their temporary home base, making day trips and excursions to the surrounding areas for hiking and hot springs. The hotels can be fully booked, especially in July, and August brings in more crowds for the Reykjavik Marathon.

When to Go: Off Season
The name 'Iceland' seems to scare off potential tourists during the region's winter. But Reykjavik isn't hit with an extremely harsh winter, and travelers eager to ski, snowboard, snowshoe, or snowmobile find Reykjavik an appealing destination in December, January, and February. Around the winter holidays of Christmas and New Year, hotel rooms are snapped up quickly in the capital city, but rates go down again in January. Winter weather is somewhat unpredictable: some weeks are warm, with highs in the 50s, but the temperatures can quickly swing back to freezing without warning. Unfortunately, December sees only three hours of daily sunshine, but the dark off season doesn't deter tourism altogether.

When to Go: Shoulder Season
Spring and fall are difficult to categorize. Reykjavik weather is famously unpredictable, and this is never more true than in the in-between seasons. Gusty winds and chilly temperatures can turn into still sunshine in the course of a week, so travelers can't count on fair weather for outdoor activities. But hotel rates are slightly down at this time and you'll encounter smaller crowds of tourists at the city's museums. If you venture out on a hiking trail, make sure to check the local weather forecast ahead of time so that you're not stranded outdoors during a major storm. On the plus side, when temperatures drop in fall, the Northern Lights are often visible.

• Wed

   

  Partly Cloudy

  40  34

• Thu

   

  Partly Cloudy

  35  29

• Fri

   

  Snow

  32  30

• Sat

   

  Snow Showers

  32  29

• Sun

   

  Snow Showers

  30  25

• Mon

   

  Snow Showers

  30  25

• Tue

   

  Partly Cloudy

  34  25

Get more information on Reykjavik weather.