Akureyri has a subarctic climate with cool, short summers and long, cold winters. Summer highs reach 13–15°C, while winter lows can drop below -8°C. Precipitation is moderate and spread year-round, with more rain in summer and frequent snow in winter. Sunshine is scarce in winter but peaks from May to July, when daylight is nearly endless.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Akureyri, located just below the Arctic Circle in northern Iceland, experiences pronounced seasonal contrasts shaped by its high latitude and inland fjord setting. Summers (June–August) are cool and relatively mild, with average highs of 13–15°C and lows around 7–8°C. The season is marked by long daylight hours – up to 23 hours in June – though skies are often cloudy and rain is frequent, especially in July and August. Gardens bloom, and the town is lively with outdoor cafés and festivals. Despite the mild temperatures, a jacket is recommended even in summer, as evenings are cool and weather can change quickly.
Winters (December–February) are long, cold, and snowy, with average highs of -1°C to 1°C and lows often dropping to -6°C or below. Snow is common from October to April, with accumulations creating a winter wonderland ideal for northern lights viewing and winter sports. Sunshine is scarce in winter, with only 0–1 hours per day and short daylight, but the town’s clear nights are perfect for aurora spotting. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with rapidly changing weather, frequent rain or snow, and temperatures ranging from -1°C to 10°C. Winds are moderate to strong year-round, especially in winter, and humidity remains high. Akureyri receives about 550–600 mm of precipitation annually, and the sea is cold year-round, peaking at just 8–9°C in August.
| Average climate data for Akureyri, Iceland | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -3 | -3 | -2 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 2 | -2 | -4 | 11 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -8 | -8 | -8 | -5 | -1 | 4 | 6 | 5 | 2 | -2 | -6 | -9 | -9 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 84 | 84 | 75 | 48 | 44 | 30 | 61 | 70 | 72 | 92 | 76 | 116 | 853 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 11 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 15 | 15 | 21 | 21 | 20 | 18 | 12 | 10 | 172 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 465 | 438 | 422 | 204 | 94 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 21 | 177 | 245 | 501 | 2,578 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 19 | 17 | 21 | 14 | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 9 | 13 | 19 | 123 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 92 | 90 | 90 | 90 | 85 | 76 | 81 | 82 | 85 | 90 | 90 | 91 | 87 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 16 | 15 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 13 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 4 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 19 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 3 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 2 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 69 | 70 | 73 | 70 | 67 | 62 | 66 | 66 | 64 | 66 | 68 | 70 | 68 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
The best time to visit Akureyri is from June to August, when temperatures are mildest (13–15°C), daylight is nearly endless, and all roads and attractions are open. This period is ideal for hiking, whale watching, and exploring the northern highlands, with lively festivals and a vibrant atmosphere despite frequent rain and cool evenings.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to March, when days are shortest, temperatures are coldest (highs of -1°C, lows below -6°C), and snow or ice is frequent. While winter offers magical northern lights and snow sports, outdoor activities are limited and travel can be disrupted by weather.
Akureyri has cool, short summers (highs 13–15°C) and long, cold winters (highs -1°C, lows below -6°C). Rain falls year-round, peaking in summer, while snow is frequent from October to April.
Yes, snow is common from October to April, with accumulations creating a winter wonderland. Snow can linger into May, especially on the surrounding mountains.
May to July are the sunniest months, with up to 6–7 hours of sunshine daily and nearly endless daylight in June. Winter months are much gloomier, with only 0–1 hours of sun per day.
Akureyri receives about 550–600 mm of precipitation annually. Rain is most frequent in July and August, while October is the wettest month. Winter precipitation often falls as snow.
Pack warm layers, a waterproof jacket, and sturdy shoes year-round. Even in summer, a jumper and raincoat are needed. In winter, bring thermal clothing, insulated boots, and a down jacket.
Yes, especially in summer when hiking, whale watching, and sightseeing are popular. Winter is best for northern lights and snow sports, but weather can limit some activities.
Crowds are smallest in winter (November–April) and shoulder seasons (May, October). Summer is busiest, especially July and August, when festivals and long daylight attract visitors.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (11.1 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is December (-3.5 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 2.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (5.5 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is December (-9 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is -2.6 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (9.6 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (2.3 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 5.2 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is December (116.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is June (29.8 mm). Over the whole year there are 852.7 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is August (21.3 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (8.8 days). Over the whole year there are 171.6 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is December (501.5 mm). The months with the least snowfall are July and August (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 2,578.2 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is March (21.1 days). The month with the fewest days of snowfall is July (0.1 days). Over the whole year there are 122.9 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (91.7 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is June (76.1 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 86.7 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is December (16.5 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (9.9 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 13.4 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is March (72.8 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is June (62.5 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 67.6 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 22.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 3 h). Over the whole year there are 12.2 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 6 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 1.1 h). Over the whole year there are 3.3 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is June (UV index: 3). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, March, October, November and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 1.6.
