Winter and Summer in Iceland by the numbers

The best time to visit Iceland depends on what you want to experience in the Land of Fire and Ice.

Simply put, there is no “wrong” or “best” time of year to visit Iceland. Whatever time of year you choose, Iceland will have spectacular sights to offer you.

Summer visitors can make the most of endless days of exploration as the Midnight Sun remains high in the sky long into the night.

When winter comes with its shorter days, Iceland transforms into an entirely different landscape, glazed by snow and ice and decorated by the dancing Northern Lights. 

Iceland’s cinematic panoramas are equally magnificent when the colors change during spring and autumn, making Iceland an all-year-round attraction.

Here’s what you might expect from Iceland’s weather on a month-by-month basis, with all measurements taken at Reykjavík. 

January

• Temperature range: 29°F to 38°F (-2°C to 3°C)  
• Record high: 52.9°F / 11.6°C
• Record low: -12.1°F / -24.5°C
• Daylight: 4.5 hours on January 1st, increasing to 7 hours by month end
• Sunrise / Sunset: 1120 / 1540 on January 1st, 1015 / 1710 by month end 
• Average number of days with rain or snow: 15 
• Keflavík arrivals in 2024: 121k

Long nights and short daylight hours make January a great time to hunt for the Northern Lights. 

Count on lots of windy days with snowfall and sharp frosts, so you’ll need to wrap up warm whenever you’re outdoors. The sun will be low in the sky, so don’t forget your sunglasses.

Visitor numbers are close to their lowest, so there should be some good deals for accommodation and excursions. This makes it an ideal time to visit an ice cave or go for a glacier hike. 

Despite Iceland’s much more northerly position, temperatures are often similar to New York City and Berlin at this time of year.

February 

• Temperature range: 29°F to 38°F (-2°C to 3°C)
• Record high: 50.4°F / 10.2°C
• Record low: 0.3°F / -17.6°C
• Daylight: 7 hours on February 1st, increasing to 10 hours by month end
• Sunrise / Sunset: 1010 / 1715 on February 1st, 0840 / 1845 by month end 
• Average number of days with rain or snow: 15 
• Keflavík arrivals in 2024: 137k

Winter is still in control in February, so snow, sleet, and rain showers are highly likely. 

Daylight hours quickly increase, allowing more time to explore outside the capital. 

Ten daylight hours by the end of February make it a great time to explore the Golden Circle or the South Coast in magical snow-capped landscapes.

But there are still plenty of hours of darkness to search for the Northern Lights. And access to all the season’s ice caves will continue. 

March

• Temperature range: 30°F to 40°F (-1°C to 4.5°C)
• Record high: 57.6°F / 14.2°C
• Record low: 2.5°F / -16.4°C
• Daylight: 10.5 hours on March 1st, increasing to 13.5 hours by month end
• Sunrise / Sunset: 0835 / 1845 on March 1st, 0645 / 2015 by month end
• Average number of days with rain or snow: 14 
• Keflavík arrivals in 2024: 161k

The Old Norse calendar has only two seasons - winter and summer. March might herald the arrival of spring in other countries, but in Iceland, it’s still winter!

Daylight hours are quickly rising, and the Sun’s warming return to northern latitudes is triggering a slow thaw in Iceland’s snowy landscapes. 

There are still plenty of hours of darkness for aurora hunting, and you can still book excursions with ice cave tours and glacier hikes.

April

• Temperature range: 34°F to 44°F (1°C to 6.5°C)
• Record high: 62.8°F / 17.1°C
• Record low: 2.5°F / -16.4°C
• Daylight: 13.5 hours on April 1st, increasing to 17 hours by month end
• Sunrise / Sunset: 0645 / 2020 on April 1st, 0500 / 2150 by month end
• Average number of days with rain or snow: 12 
• Keflavík arrivals in 2024: 142k

If there is a “spring” in Iceland, it happens in April, with the winter thaw revealing fresh green grass and spring flowers. 

Puffins, whales, and dolphins are returning to Iceland, so it’s a great time to go on tours and visit their favorite places. 

The thaw means access to ice caves and glaciers for hikes will begin to reduce for safety reasons. 

Some call April Mud Month, which means hiking paths to popular places like Reykjadalur and Fjaðrárgljúfur may sometimes be closed to protect the fragile environment. 

As daylight hours lengthen, there will be less chance of seeing the Aurora Borealis.

May 

• Temperature range: 40°F to 50°F (4.5°C to 10°C)
• Record high: 69.1°F / 20.6°C
• Record low: 18.1°F / -7.7°C
• Daylight: 17 hours on May 1st, increasing to 20 hours by month end
• Sunrise / Sunset: 0500 / 2155 on May 1st, 0325 / 2330 by month end
• Average number of days with rain or snow: 11 
• Keflavík arrivals in 2024: 158k

“Summer” arrives, Iceland will turn green, and newborn lambs will bounce around as you pass the roadside farms.

By now, puffins will be arriving in large numbers, with the nesting season from early May until late June. 

Mid-May sees more restaurants, cafés, and places of interest opening for the summer. 

On the other hand, as temperatures rise, fewer ice caves will be accessible, and there will be very little chance of seeing the Northern Lights.   

Visitor numbers quickly rise with the longer days, so rates for accommodation and excursions will increase with demand.

 June

• Temperature range: 45°F to 55°F (7°C to 13°C)
• Record high: 72.3°F / 22.4°C
• Record low: 30.7°F / -0.7°C
• Daylight: 21 hours per day
• Sunrise / Sunset: 0320 / 2330 on June 1st, 0300 / 2355 by month end
• Average number of days with rain: 9.5 
• Keflavík arrivals in 2024: 233k

June and July are the time of the Midnight Sun, when there are endless daylight hours and warmer days for you to explore Iceland’s treasures.

The summer months (June to August) see the calmest weather of the year in Iceland, and rainfall is at its lowest. 

There’s always a chance of rain, so keep those waterproofs with you!

Iceland’s hiking trails will all be accessible by now, and access to the Highlands begins to open up. 

This is peak season, with over a quarter of a million visitors exploring Iceland each month, so prepare for higher prices and busier sightseeing spots. 

Look out for purple lupins blossoming as you travel around Iceland.

July

• Temperature range: 48°F to 59°F (9°C to 15°C)
• Record high: 78.3°F / 25.7°C
• Record low: 34.5°F / 1.4°C
• Daylight: 21 hours on July 1st, reducing to 18 hours by month end
• Sunrise / Sunset: 0305 / 2355 on July 1st, 0430 / 2230 by month end
• Average number of days with rain: 10.5 
• Keflavík arrivals in 2023: 234k

As well as basking in almost non-stop daylight, July is usually the year’s warmest month.

It’s the best time to see puffins, go whale watching or horse riding, or take a hike or a dip in one of Iceland’s famous “hot rivers.”

All mountain and Highlands roads are open, and the most famous walking trails are accessible to serious hikers.

The weather will be as stable as it gets in Iceland, but remember that storms and high winds can arrive at short notice, so keep an eye on the forecast.

August

• Temperature range: 47°F to 57°F (8.5°C to 14°C)
• Record high: 76.6°F / 24.8°C
• Record low: 31.3°F / -0.4°C
• Daylight: 18 hours on August 1st, reducing to 14.5 hours by month end
• Sunrise / Sunset: 0435 / 2230 on August 1st, 0610 / 2045 by month end
• Average number of days with rain or snow: 11.5 
• Keflavík arrivals in 2023: 243k

The long summer days and the school holidays make August the busiest month for visitors to Iceland.

The nights are getting darker, but there’s still an excellent chance of enjoying sunny days and warm temperatures. 

Cooler days, rain (and even snow!) are increasingly possible - you’ll need warm layers and thicker coats if it gets chilly. 

The puffins and some migratory whales will leave Iceland’s shores in August.

September 

• Temperature range: 43°F to 52°F (6°C to 11°C)
• Record high: 68.2°F / 20.1°C
• Record low: 24.1°F / -4.4°C
• Daylight: 14.5 hours on September 1st, reducing to 11.5 hours by month end
• Sunrise / Sunset: 0610 / 2040 on September 1st, 0735 / 1900 by month end
• Average number of days with rain or snow: 15 
• Keflavík arrivals in 2023: 177k

September is becoming a popular time to visit Iceland for several reasons. The “high season” is coming to an end, so that means prices will be a little lower.

The Gulf Stream warms the weather in Iceland, holding winter back for longer than in other places at similar latitudes. 

There’s a perfect balance between darkness and light, so that means plenty of time to explore during the day and chances to see the Northern Lights at night. 

The greens of summer slowly give way to a riot of color as the browns, reds, golds, and yellows of autumn decorate the Icelandic countryside.

It’s the berry-picking season and time for the famous Réttir when Iceland’s farmers round up their sheep and horses for the winter.

Prepare for strong winds, increasing rainfall, and occasional storms. 

October 

• Temperature range: 37°F to 46°F (3°C to 8°C)
• Record high: 60.3°F / 15.7°C
• Record low: 12.9°F / -10.6°C
• Daylight: 11 hours on October 1st, reducing to 8 hours by month end
• Sunrise / Sunset: 0740 / 1855 on October 1st, 0910 / 1710 by month end
• Average number of days with rain or snow: 13 
• Keflavík arrivals in 2023: 159k

After the first winter day (Fyrsti vetrardagur), the days begin to darken quickly, temperatures drop, the leaves fall, and there will be more wind and rain. 

The first snows of winter will arrive, with North Iceland most likely to see snow clouds before the south. 

The first snowfall in 2024 in Reykjavík and the Golden Circle fell on October 10th.

The Northern Lights are becoming even more visible this time of year, so consider taking a tour to witness this magical sight whenever the skies are clear.

November

• Temperature range: 32°F to 41°F (0°C to 5°C)
• Record high: 54.9°F / 12.7°C
• Record low: 4.8°F / -15.1°C
• Daylight: 8 hours on November 1st, reducing to 5 hours by month end
• Sunrise / Sunset: 0915 / 1710 on November 1st, 1045 / 1550 by month end
• Average number of days with rain or snow: 14 
• Keflavík arrivals in 2023: 138k

November is one of the more unpredictable months for the weather in Iceland, with fewer daylight hours. 

The temperatures are dropping, and the winds are picking up, too, so ensure you have hats, gloves, and scarves ready. 

Snowfalls will increase, and roads will often be icy, so taking organized tours is sensible.

December

• Temperature range: 30°F to 38°F (-1°C to 3°C)
• Record high: 53.6°F / 12°C
• Record low: 1.8°F / -16.8°C
• Daylight: 5 hours on December 1st, reducing to 4 hours on the solstice
• Sunrise / Sunset: 1045 / 1545 on December 1st, 1120 / 1545 by month end
• Average number of days with rain or snow: 15 
• Keflavík arrivals in 2023: 115k

The days are shorter and darker, with just four hours of daylight on the Winter Solstice (December 21st), which reduces the time for exploring Iceland’s natural marvels.

On the other hand, that means a much better chance to see the Northern Lights in the dark of Iceland’s long winter nights as the aurora season peaks.

Snowfalls and frost will make Iceland a glittering winter wonderland, offering incredible images under the low winter sun.

Christmas markets in Reykjavík’s Ingólfstorg Square and around the country will add to the festive feeling.

Whenever you decide to visit Iceland, you can be sure of an unforgettable experience!