Climate - Reykjavik (Iceland)

The climate of Reykjavik is subpolar oceanic, with cold winters and very cool summers.
The city is the capital of Iceland and is located on the south-western coast.
A short distance from the city we find the Esian volcano, 914 meters (2,999 ft) high and covered with snow for many months of the year.
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 -10/-12 °C (10/14 °F), however, it can occasionally drop to lower values. The coldest record is -19.7 °C (-3.5 °F), recorded in January 1971.

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 20/22 °C (68/72 °F). The highest record is 25.7 °C (78.3 °F) and was set in July 2008.

The latitude of Reykjavík is 64°09'N. On the shortest day of the year, December 21st, the sun rises around 11:20 am and sets around 3:30 pm. On the longest day, June 21, the sun rises at 2:55 am and sets three 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 27 to August 15.

Best Time

The best time to visit Reykjavik 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.

Reykjavik - Climate data

In Reykjavik, the average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of 0.5 °C (32.9 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 12.0 °C (53.6 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Reykjavik, precipitation amounts to 870 millimeters (34.3 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 40 mm (1.6 in) in the driest month (June) to 100 mm (3.9 in) in the wettest one (December). Here is the average precipitation.
At Reykjavik, the sea temperature ranges from 5 °C (41 °F) in March to 10.5 °C (51 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
In Reykjavik, there are on average around 1315 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Reykjavik - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Reykjavik is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.6 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -2.2 °C (28.1 °F) and a maximum of 3.4 °C (38.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10 °C (14 °F). However, it dropped to -13.5 °C (7.7 °F) in January 1998.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it reached 11.6 °C (52.9 °F) in January 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 15 days.
The day lasts on average 5 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are short.
There are on average 0.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 12% 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 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 Reykjavik is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.5 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -2.4 °C (27.6 °F) and a maximum of 3.4 °C (38.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -10 °C (14 °F). However, it dropped to -14.4 °C (6.1 °F) in February 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8 °C (47 °F). However, it reached 10.2 °C (50.4 °F) in February 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 15 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 24% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 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 Reykjavik is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.2 °C (34 °F), with a minimum of -1.8 °C (28.8 °F) and a maximum of 4.2 °C (39.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -9 °C (16 °F). However, it dropped to -15 °C (5 °F) in March 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it reached 13 °C (55.4 °F) in March 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 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 Reykjavik is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.9 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 0.8 °C (33.4 °F) and a maximum of 7 °C (44.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5.5 °C (22 °F). However, it dropped to -9 °C (15.8 °F) in April 1995.
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 17.1 °C (62.8 °F) in April 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (13 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 Reykjavik is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 6.9 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 3.8 °C (38.8 °F) and a maximum of 10.1 °C (50.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1.5 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -5.9 °C (21.4 °F) in May 2015.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it reached 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) in May 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 18 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 35% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 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 Reykjavik is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.1 °C (50 °F), with a minimum of 7.1 °C (44.8 °F) and a maximum of 13.1 °C (55.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.5 °C (31.1 °F) in June 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 22.4 °C (72.3 °F) in June 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 20 hours and 55 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 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 28% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 16 kph (10 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 Reykjavik is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.0 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 9.1 °C (48.4 °F) and a maximum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.7 °C (36.9 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19.5 °C (67 °F). However, it reached 25.7 °C (78.3 °F) in July 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 19 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are very long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 29% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 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 Reykjavik is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.4 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 8.6 °C (47.4 °F) and a maximum of 14.2 °C (57.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in August 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 24.8 °C (76.6 °F) in August 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (10 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 Reykjavik is usually mild. The average temperature is of 8.8 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 6 °C (42.8 °F) and a maximum of 11.5 °C (52.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.4 °C (25.9 °F) in September 2005.
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 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) in September 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 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 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 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 Reykjavik is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.0 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 2.3 °C (36.1 °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 -4 °C (25 °F). However, it dropped to -7.4 °C (18.7 °F) in October 1993.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (54.5 °F). However, it reached 15.6 °C (60.1 °F) in October 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. 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 November, the weather in Reykjavik is usually cold. The average temperature is of 2.2 °C (36 °F), with a minimum of -0.5 °C (31.1 °F) and a maximum of 4.9 °C (40.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7.5 °C (18 °F). However, it dropped to -15 °C (5 °F) in November 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 10 °C (50.5 °F). However, it reached 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) in November 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 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 20% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 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 Reykjavik is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.8 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -2 °C (28.4 °F) and a maximum of 3.6 °C (38.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -9.5 °C (15 °F). However, it dropped to -13 °C (8.6 °F) in December 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it reached 12 °C (53.6 °F) in December 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 15 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.
There are on average 0.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 9% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.