Reykjavík features a subpolar oceanic climate with long, cold, windy winters and short, cool summers. The city is known for its dramatic seasonal shifts in daylight, frequent clouds, and year-round precipitation. Despite its northern latitude, the Atlantic Ocean keeps temperatures milder than expected, making Reykjavík a unique destination for nature and weather enthusiasts.
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.
Reykjavík’s climate is shaped by its coastal position and proximity to the Arctic Circle, resulting in four distinct but subdued seasons. Winters (November–March) are long, cold, and often windy, with average highs around 2–4°C and lows near –2°C. Snow is common but usually light, and rain, sleet, or drizzle can occur on any winter day. Gales and storms are frequent, especially in January, the wettest month, and daylight can dwindle to less than five hours in December. Despite the latitude, extreme cold is rare, with temperatures seldom dropping below –15°C, thanks to the moderating effect of the North Atlantic Current.
Summers (June–August) are short, cool, and mostly cloudy, with average highs of 12–14°C and lows around 8–9°C. July is the warmest month, but temperatures rarely exceed 20°C. Rainfall is consistent year-round, with summer being the driest season, and monthly totals ranging from 40 to 50 mm. Sunshine is limited (about 1,300 hours annually), but daylight is nearly continuous from late May to late July, offering unique experiences like midnight sun. Spring and autumn are brief and variable, with rapidly changing weather, frequent rain, and strong winds. Winds average 16–24 km/h but can be much stronger during storms. Humidity remains high year-round, and fog can roll in quickly from the coast.
Reykjavík is one of the cloudiest and coolest capitals in the world, but its climate supports lush summer landscapes, vibrant festivals, and winter displays of the Northern Lights. Weather can change quickly, so visitors should always be prepared for rain, wind, and cool temperatures, regardless of season.
| Average climate data for Reykjavík, Iceland | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 2 | 2 | 2 | 5 | 8 | 12 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 6 | 3 | 1 | 14 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -1 | -1 | -1 | 1 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 1 | -2 | -2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 47 | 33 | 40 | 36 | 32 | 25 | 25 | 37 | 40 | 37 | 29 | 35 | 415 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 13 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 17 | 15 | 18 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 166 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 60 | 45 | 100 | 22 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 17 | 60 | 309 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 7 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 41 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 82 | 82 | 79 | 79 | 74 | 77 | 77 | 79 | 81 | 80 | 81 | 82 | 80 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 24 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 19 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 20 | 21 | 23 | 24 | 21 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 8 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 5 | 8 | 11 | 15 | 18 | 20 | 19 | 16 | 13 | 9 | 6 | 4 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 4 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 61 | 63 | 62 | 60 | 65 | 63 | 62 | 60 | 64 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
The best time to visit Reykjavík is from June to August, when temperatures are mildest (8–14°C), rainfall is relatively low, and daylight is nearly continuous. This period is ideal for outdoor adventures, festivals, and experiencing Iceland’s midnight sun. Spring and early autumn also offer fewer crowds and beautiful landscapes, though weather can be changeable.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to March, when days are shortest, winds strongest, and snow, rain, and storms are frequent. While winter offers the Northern Lights and festive charm, outdoor activities can be limited by cold, wet, and unpredictable weather.
Reykjavík has a subpolar oceanic climate with long, cold, windy winters and short, cool summers. Rain and clouds are frequent, and temperatures are milder than expected for its latitude.
Winter temperatures in Reykjavík average –2 to 4°C, with rare extremes below –15°C. Snow, rain, and strong winds are common, and daylight is limited to just a few hours in December.
Summer temperatures are cool, with highs of 12–14°C and lows around 8–9°C. Days are long and cloudy, with the sun barely setting from late May to late July.
Rain and snow are common year-round, with 800–900 mm of annual precipitation and over 180 rainy days. Snow is frequent in winter but rarely heavy or long-lasting in the city.
Reykjavík is windy year-round, with average speeds of 16–24 km/h and much stronger gusts during storms, especially in winter. Wind chill can make temperatures feel colder.
Reykjavík averages about 1,300 hours of sunshine annually. Summer has the most daylight, with nearly 24-hour sun in June, while winter days can be as short as four hours.
Pack thermal, waterproof layers, windproof jackets, and sturdy boots for winter. In summer, bring light layers, a rain jacket, and a sleep mask for the midnight sun. Always be prepared for sudden weather changes.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (13.5 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is December (1.4 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 6.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (9.2 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is December (-2.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 2.8 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is July (11.3 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is March (5.1 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 7.7 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is January (47.1 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is July (24.7 mm). Over the whole year there are 415.4 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is September (17.9 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is December (9.7 days). Over the whole year there are 166.4 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is March (99.8 mm). The months with the least snowfall are June, July, August and September (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 309.1 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is March (9.4 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are August and September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 41.2 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (82.2 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is May (73.9 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 79.5 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is February (25.1 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is July (14.8 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 20.7 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is April (67.7 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is December (60 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 63.5 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 20.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 4 h). Over the whole year there are 12.1 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is May (Average sunshine: 7.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 2.1 h). Over the whole year there are 4.3 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is July (UV index: 4). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February and November (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.1.
