Climate - Raufarhöfn (Iceland)

The climate of Raufarhöfn is subarctic, with cold winters and very cool summers, or even a little cold.
The village is located in the extreme north-east of Iceland, a short distance from the Arctic Circle.
Due to the location in the north and on a peninsula (called Melrakkaslétta), summer is colder than in cities like Akureyri and Reykjavik, which are in more sheltered locations.
The latitude of Raufarhöfn is 66°27'N, just 10 km (6 mi) south of the Arctic Circle. On the shorter days of the year, around December 20th, the day lasts 2 hours and a quarter. On the longest days, the sun does not set, in fact, due to refraction, it remains above the horizon even at midnight from June 8th to July 6th. The white nights, in which it is not completely dark even at midnight, occur before and after this period, from April 21st to August 23rd.
The average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of -1.3 °C (29.7 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 9.4 °C (48.9 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 735 millimeters (28.9 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 30 mm (1.2 in) in the driest month (May) to 85 mm (3.3 in) in the wettest (October). Here is the average precipitation.

As is typical of Iceland, the weather is often unstable and windy.
In winter, there can be relatively mild periods, in which the temperature reaches 7/8 °C (44.5/46.5 °F). On the other hand, winds from the north pole or from Greenland can bring freezing periods of three or four days, in which the minimum temperature drops below -15 °C (5 °F). The coldest record is -24.6 °C (-12.3 °F), recorded in March 1969.
It usually snows from October to April or early May.
The summer is very cool, and sometimes even cold, especially in June. The rains are quite frequent. However, there can be very mild periods of two or three days, in which the temperature reaches or exceeds 20 °C (68 °F). The highest record is 25 °C (77 °F), recorded in July 1955, in May 1992 and in August 1995.



The sea temperature ranges between 2 °C (36 °F) and 8 °C (46 °F). So, it is very cold all year round. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Raufarhöfn 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.

Raufarhöfn - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Raufarhöfn is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -1.0 °C (30 °F), with a minimum of -3.7 °C (25.3 °F) and a maximum of 1.8 °C (35.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12 °C (10 °F). However, it dropped to -18.3 °C (-0.9 °F) in January 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). However, it reached 11 °C (51.8 °F) in January 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 4 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are short.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 28 kph (18 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3 °C (37 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Raufarhöfn is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -1.3 °C (30 °F), with a minimum of -4.1 °C (24.7 °F) and a maximum of 1.5 °C (34.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13.5 °C (8 °F). However, it dropped to -15.6 °C (3.9 °F) in February 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 7.5 °C (45.5 °F). However, it reached 9.6 °C (49.3 °F) in February 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 10 minutes.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 27 kph (17 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Raufarhöfn is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -0.9 °C (30 °F), with a minimum of -3.6 °C (25.6 °F) and a maximum of 1.8 °C (35.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12.5 °C (9.5 °F). However, it dropped to -19.8 °C (-3.6 °F) in March 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it reached 12.3 °C (54.1 °F) in March 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 50 minutes.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 26 kph (16 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Raufarhöfn is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.1 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -1.5 °C (29.2 °F) and a maximum of 3.8 °C (38.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -9 °C (15.5 °F). However, it dropped to -17.4 °C (0.7 °F) in April 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it reached 20.4 °C (68.7 °F) in April 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 35 minutes.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 2.5 °C (36.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Raufarhöfn is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.9 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 1.2 °C (34.2 °F) and a maximum of 6.6 °C (43.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9 °C (15.8 °F) in May 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in May 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 19 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Raufarhöfn is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 7.1 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 4.4 °C (39.9 °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 0 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F) in June 2001.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) in June 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 23 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are very long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5.5 °C (42.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Raufarhöfn is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.1 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 6.7 °C (44 °F) and a maximum of 11.6 °C (52.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2.5 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to 0.2 °C (32.4 °F) in July 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 23.2 °C (73.8 °F) in July 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 21 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 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 August, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Raufarhöfn is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 6.7 °C (44 °F) and a maximum of 12.1 °C (53.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in August 2020.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 24.8 °C (76.6 °F) in August 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
The average humidity is 86%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 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 September, the weather in Raufarhöfn is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 6.8 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 4.2 °C (39.5 °F) and a maximum of 9.4 °C (49 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -8.2 °C (17.2 °F) in September 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it reached 21.3 °C (70.3 °F) in September 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 5 minutes.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6.5 °C (44 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Raufarhöfn is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.2 °C (38 °F), with a minimum of 0.9 °C (33.6 °F) and a maximum of 5.5 °C (41.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -11.8 °C (10.8 °F) in October 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55 °F). However, it reached 16.8 °C (62.2 °F) in October 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 24 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (41 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Raufarhöfn is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.6 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -2 °C (28.5 °F) and a maximum of 3.1 °C (37.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10 °C (14 °F). However, it dropped to -16.6 °C (2.1 °F) in November 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it reached 14 °C (57.2 °F) in November 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 5 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are short.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 25 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4 °C (39 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Raufarhöfn is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -0.5 °C (31 °F), with a minimum of -3.2 °C (26.2 °F) and a maximum of 2.2 °C (35.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11.5 °C (11.5 °F). However, it dropped to -17 °C (1.4 °F) in December 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it reached 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) in December 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 2 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are very short. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 26 kph (16 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 3.5 °C (38 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.