Climate - Reykjanesbær (Iceland)

The climate of Reykjanesbær is subpolar oceanic, with cold winters and very cool summers.
The city is located in the southwest of Iceland, on the coast, 30 km (18 mi) south-west of Reykiavik, in the peninsula called Suðurnes, and is formed by the union of the cities of Keflavik, Njarðvík and Hafnir.
The climate is very similar to that of Reykjavik, although it is slightly milder and rainier given the more exposed position to the sea.
The latitude of Reykjanesbær is 64°00'N. On the shortest day of the year, December 21st, the sun rises around 11:20 am and sets around 3:35 pm. On the longest day, June 21, the sun rises at 3 am and sets two minutes after midnight (this happens because of the time zone adopted by Iceland). The white nights, in which it is not completely dark even at midnight, occur from April 28 to August 14.
The average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of 0.7 °C (33.3 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 11.5 °C (52.7 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation amounts to 1,075 millimeters (42.3 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 65 mm (2.6 in) in the driest months (May, July) to 115 mm (4.5 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, 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 9:25 am and sets at 6 pm, while in mid-March, it rises at 7:45 am and sets at 7:30 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/-9 °C (16/18 °F), however, it can occasionally drop to lower values. At Keflavik airport, the coldest record is -17 °C (1.5 °F), set in February 1969. Over the decades, the cold spikes have become less and less low.

The summer is cool, with fairly frequent rains. There are very cool periods, with highs of 10/12 °C (50/54 °F), especially in June, but also milder periods.
On the warmest days of the year, the temperature typically reaches 18/19 °C (64/66 °F). The highest record is 25 °C (77 °F) and was set in August 2004.



The sea temperature ranges between 5 °C (41 °F) and 10 °C (50 °F). So, it is very cold all year round. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best time to visit Reykjanesbær 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.

Reykjanesbær - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Reykjanesbær is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.9 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -1.8 °C (28.8 °F) and a maximum of 3.6 °C (38.5 °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 January 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it reached 10.4 °C (50.7 °F) in January 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 5 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 27 kph (17 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 February, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Reykjanesbær is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.7 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -2.2 °C (28.1 °F) and a maximum of 3.6 °C (38.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (16.5 °F). However, it dropped to -15.2 °C (4.6 °F) in February 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it reached 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) in February 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 40 minutes.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 28 kph (17 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Reykjanesbær is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.5 °C (35 °F), with a minimum of -1.4 °C (29.5 °F) and a maximum of 4.3 °C (39.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (18.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13 °C (8.6 °F) in March 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it reached 12.3 °C (54.1 °F) in March 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 26 kph (16 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5 °C (41.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Reykjanesbær is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.8 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 0.8 °C (33.5 °F) and a maximum of 6.8 °C (44.2 °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 °C (17.6 °F) in April 2005.
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 15 °C (59 °F) in April 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 minutes.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 25 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Reykjanesbær is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 6.7 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 3.7 °C (38.7 °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 °C (30.5 °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 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it reached 17.8 °C (64 °F) in May 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 18 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Reykjanesbær is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.8 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 6.9 °C (44.4 °F) and a maximum of 12.7 °C (54.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.1 °C (31.8 °F) in June 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it reached 19.9 °C (67.8 °F) in June 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 20 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 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Reykjanesbær is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.5 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 8.7 °C (47.7 °F) and a maximum of 14.3 °C (57.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.9 °C (39 °F) in July 2013.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in July 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 19 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 19 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (50 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In August, the weather in Reykjanesbær is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.1 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 8.4 °C (47.2 °F) and a maximum of 13.7 °C (56.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.8 °C (37 °F) in August 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 25 °C (77 °F) in August 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 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 September, the weather in Reykjanesbær is usually mild. The average temperature is of 8.6 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 6 °C (42.9 °F) and a maximum of 11.2 °C (52.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -1.1 °C (30 °F) in September 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it reached 17.8 °C (64 °F) in September 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Reykjanesbær is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.1 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 2.6 °C (36.6 °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 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -7.2 °C (19 °F) in October 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (54 °F). However, it reached 14.5 °C (58.1 °F) in October 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 9 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 8 °C (46.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Reykjanesbær is usually cold. The average temperature is of 2.6 °C (37 °F), with a minimum of -0.1 °C (31.9 °F) and a maximum of 5.3 °C (41.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20.5 °F). However, it dropped to -12 °C (10.4 °F) in November 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 10 °C (50 °F). However, it reached 13.9 °C (57 °F) in November 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 6 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are short.
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 7 °C (44.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Reykjanesbær is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.1 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -1.6 °C (29.1 °F) and a maximum of 3.9 °C (39 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (17 °F). However, it dropped to -14 °C (6.8 °F) in December 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it reached 12.7 °C (54.9 °F) in December 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 16 days.
The day lasts on average 4 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are 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 27 kph (17 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.