Climate - Hofn (Iceland)

The climate of Höfn (Höfn í Hornafirði) is subpolar oceanic, with cold winters and very cool summers.
The small town is located on the southeastern coast of Iceland, at the foot of the Vatnajökull glacier.
The latitude of Höfn is 64°15'N. On the shortest day of the year, December 21st, the sun rises around 11:00 am and sets around 3:00 pm. On the longest day, June 21, the sun rises at 2:25 am and sets at 11:40 pm. The white nights, in which it is not completely dark even at midnight, occur from April 27 to August 15.
The average temperature of the coldest month (December) is of 1 °C (34 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 1,455 millimeters (57.3 inches) per year: it is therefore quite abundant. It ranges from 85 mm (3.3 in) in the driest month (July) to 185 mm (7.3 in) in the wettest (October). Here is the average precipitation.

As is typical of Iceland, the weather is often unstable and windy. Snowfalls typically occur from October to April or early May, although they rarely prevail over rain for long periods.
The winter, from December to March, is cold, cloudy and windy, with very short days in the first part, which then gradually become longer (in mid-February, the sun already rises at 8:55 am and sets at 5:35 pm, while in mid-March, it rises at 7:15 am and sets at 7:00 pm).
During some periods, the temperature fluctuates around freezing, and rainfall alternate with snowfall.
There are also quite mild periods, in which the temperature reaches 7/8 °C (45/46 °F), but it often rains and a strong wind blows.
There are also very cold periods, characterized by snow and frost, which generally last no more than a week.
On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature typically drops to -8/-10 °C (14/18 °F), however, it can occasionally drop to lower values. The coldest record is -19 °C (-2 °F), recorded even in early April 1968 and in March 1969 (this is explained by the fact that March is still a fully winter month, and given the maritime climate, in spring temperatures rise late). However, in recent decades, these values have no longer occurred, and it is now very rare that it reaches -15 °C (5 °F).

The summer is very cool, and sometimes even cold, especially in June. The rains are also frequent in this season. However, there can be very mild periods of two or three days, in which the temperature reaches or exceeds 18 °C (64 °F).
The highest record is 24.5 °C (76 °F) and was recorded in August 2004.



On average, there are around 1,200 sunshine hours per year. So, the sun doesn't shine often. From November to January, the sun is practically never seen, also because the days are very short. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea temperature ranges between 7 °C (45 °F) and 11 °C (52 °F). So, it is cold all year round. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Höfn is the summer, from June to August, since it is the mildest season. However, there are often cloudy skies, rain and a bit of cold. Therefore, it is advisable to bring a jacket and a sweater even in the height of summer.

Hofn - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Hofn is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.1 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -1.5 °C (29.3 °F) and a maximum of 3.7 °C (38.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8 °C (17.5 °F). However, it dropped to -15.3 °C (4.5 °F) in January 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it reached 15.9 °C (60.6 °F) in January 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 165 mm (6.5 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 5 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are short.
There is an average of 1 hour of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 15% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Hofn is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.1 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -1.6 °C (29.2 °F) and a maximum of 3.8 °C (38.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8 °C (17.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12.2 °C (10 °F) in February 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8 °C (47 °F). However, it reached 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) in February 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 130 mm (5.1 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7.5 °C (45 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Hofn is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.8 °C (35 °F), with a minimum of -1 °C (30.3 °F) and a maximum of 4.6 °C (40.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (18 °F). However, it dropped to -15.2 °C (4.6 °F) in March 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it reached 16 °C (60.8 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 32% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (45 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Hofn is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.9 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 1 °C (33.8 °F) and a maximum of 6.9 °C (44.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.5 °C (16.7 °F) in April 2000.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it reached 17 °C (62.6 °F) in April 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (45 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Hofn is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 6.8 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 3.9 °C (39.1 °F) and a maximum of 9.7 °C (49.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29.5 °F). However, it dropped to -4.8 °C (23.4 °F) in May 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (59.5 °F). However, it reached 22.7 °C (72.9 °F) in May 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 18 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (46 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Hofn is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.6 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 6.8 °C (44.3 °F) and a maximum of 12.3 °C (54.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to 0 °C (32 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it reached 21.2 °C (70.2 °F) in June 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 21 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are very long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 23% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9 °C (48.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Hofn is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.2 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 8.5 °C (47.4 °F) and a maximum of 13.9 °C (57 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40 °F). However, it dropped to 1.9 °C (35.4 °F) in July 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 23.8 °C (74.8 °F) in July 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 19 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 23% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In August, the weather in Hofn is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.0 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 8.3 °C (46.9 °F) and a maximum of 13.7 °C (56.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1.4 °C (34.5 °F) in August 1994.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (64 °F). However, it reached 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) in August 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11 °C (52 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Hofn is usually mild. The average temperature is of 8.6 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 5.9 °C (42.7 °F) and a maximum of 11.3 °C (52.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, it dropped to -5.5 °C (22.1 °F) in September 2009.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (60 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in September 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (50 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Hofn is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.3 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 2.9 °C (37.1 °F) and a maximum of 7.7 °C (45.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3.5 °C (26 °F). However, it dropped to -7.2 °C (19 °F) in October 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it reached 14.5 °C (58.1 °F) in October 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 185 mm (7.3 in), distributed over 17 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9 °C (48 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Hofn is usually cold. The average temperature is of 2.7 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of 0.1 °C (32.3 °F) and a maximum of 5.2 °C (41.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21 °F). However, it dropped to -10.7 °C (12.7 °F) in November 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 10 °C (49.5 °F). However, it reached 11.7 °C (53.1 °F) in November 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 6 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (46.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In December, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Hofn is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.0 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -1.7 °C (28.9 °F) and a maximum of 3.7 °C (38.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (16.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13 °C (8.6 °F) in December 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it reached 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) in December 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 145 mm (5.7 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 4 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 0.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 13% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7.5 °C (46 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.