The climate of Iceland

More climate information about Iceland

Iceland has one of the most distinctive and diverse climates on earth. Located in the North Atlantic, just south of the Arctic Circle, Iceland has a temperate maritime climate influenced by the Gulf Stream. This means that, although located in the north, the country does not often experience the severe cold like other Arctic regions.

Though it is difficult to predict the climate, as Icelandic weather is highly unpredictable and subject to abrupt changes. This is partly because the country lies on the edge of the Arctic Circle, where it is subject to both polar and tropical air masses. As a result, Icelandic weather often changes from one extreme to another within hours.

Iceland is blessed with warm water and warm air thanks to the Gulf Stream, a warm ocean current that migrates from the tropics to the poles. As a result, the country's temperature is considerably milder than in other areas at the same latitude.

Spring, summer, autumn and winter are Iceland's four distinct seasons. When planning a holiday to the country, it is vital to be prepared for everything, as each season has its own weather patterns and environment.

Spring

As the country emerges from the gloom and cold of winter, spring is a period of transformation in Iceland. At this time of year, temperatures are chilly, fluctuating between 0 and 10 degrees Celsius. Sunny days can alternate with rain and snow showers, and the weather can be quite unpredictable.

Summer

Summer in Iceland is the warmest and most enjoyable season. It has the longest days and most continuous sunlight of the year, with temperatures ranging from 10 to 20 degrees Celsius. The "midnight sun" phenomenon, where the sun never sets completely and there is up to 20 hours of sunshine every day, is famous for occurring in Iceland throughout the summer. So if you want to take advantage of Iceland's natural beauty and engage in outdoor activities, summer is the ideal season to go there.

Autumn

Iceland experiences changes in autumn as the leaves begin to discolour and the days get shorter. At this time of year, temperatures usually range from 5 to 15 degrees Celsius, with chilly, cool days and sporadic rain or snow showers. If you want to see the Northern Lights, autumn is a great season to go to Iceland as the longer, darker evenings are ideal for this phenomenon.

Winter

Winter in Iceland is chilly and gloomy, with lows of around -5 to 5 degrees Celsius. It is not unusual for the whole country to be covered in a layer of snow. Snow and ice are also common. Even when it is cold outside, Iceland's pristine environment is beautiful in winter because it is covered in a layer of snow. Winter is a great time to come if you want to see the Northern Lights, as they are much more noticeable.

The climate in Iceland's many regions

Iceland's climate is generally uniform across the country, but there are slight regional differences. For instance, the southern and western parts of the country often have warmer and more humid weather than the more chilly and dry northern and eastern parts.

Reykjavik, the country's capital, is located in the south-west of the country and has moderate temperatures compared to other regions. The Gulf Stream affects the city, which helps maintain pleasant temperatures in winter. Reykjavik's average winter temperature is about 2 degrees Celsius, while the summer maximum is 16 degrees Celsius.

In contrast, the northern and eastern parts of the country, including Akureyri and Egilsstadir, are known for their chilly, dry winters and cool summers. These areas usually have winter temperatures of around -5 degrees Celsius and summer temperatures of up to 10 degrees Celsius. Strong winds and clear, bright days are also more common in these areas.

In short, Iceland has a very different and variable climate, with each season having its own weather patterns and conditions. Its proximity to the North Atlantic and the influence of the Gulf Stream mean that temperatures decrease, although the weather can still be quite erratic. Iceland is a beautiful and unique location that is likely to amaze visitors, whether you go there during the warm, glorious summer days or the chilly, dark evenings of winter.

Best time to visit Iceland

July and August, the warmest months in Iceland, are traditionally the most favourite months for tourists to visit the country. And because there is continuous daylight in June, there are almost as many tourists as at the height of summer. But at this time of year, bad weather such as heavy rain and high winds can and do occur. Because of the island's unpredictable climate, it is not uncommon for one day to contain elements of all four seasons.

Since Iceland's climate can maintain pleasant temperatures well into the first week of October, travelling in September may be the best option. May also has more hours of daylight, making it ideal for outdoor excursions, and milder temperatures. However, this is not the best time to visit if you want to visit some of the more distant hills and fjords, as some roads are still blocked as they thaw from the layer of snow that covered them in winter.

The best time of year to go hiking in Iceland is summer, as this is the only season when all mountain roads are passable and most of the country's best-known trails are available.

When is the best time to see whales in Iceland?

The months of June and July are ideal for whale watching in Iceland. Northern Iceland has a longer season for seeing humpbacks, mink and dolphins, which sail the Atlantic from May to August; some humpbacks even stay until the end of the year. Blue whales also travel through summer.

Minke whales and dolphins can be seen near Reykjavik during the summer months, while orcas concentrate in western Iceland around the Snaefellsnes peninsula during the first part of the year.

When is the best time to visit hot springs?

Hot springs in Iceland are an important part of Icelandic culture and offer both social and wellness benefits. The public baths in Reykjavik are available all year round. Visit them in September or the first half of October, when they are still accessible by mountain road but tourist numbers have dropped sharply.

When visiting the Blue Lagoon, the world's most famous geothermal spa, visitors will find fewer crowds by going out of season.