Climate - Stykkisholmur (Iceland)

The climate of Stykkisholmur is subpolar oceanic, with cold winters and very cool summers.
The small town is located on the west coast of Iceland, in the peninsula called Snæfellsnes, 100 km (60 mi) north of Reykjavik. The climate is similar to that of the Icelandic capital, although it is a bit cooler in summer.
The latitude of Stykkisholmur is 65°05'N. On the shortest day of the year, December 21st, the sun rises around 11:45 am and sets around 3:15 pm. On the longest day, June 21, the sun rises at 2:30 am and sets 35 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 24 to August 18.
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 9:30 am and sets at 6 pm, while in mid-March, it rises at 7:50 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 around -10 °C (14 °F), however, it can occasionally drop to lower values. The coldest record is -19 °C (-2 °F), recorded in March 1969. However, in recent decades, the temperature has not dropped to such low values again.

The summer is cool, with fairly frequent rains. There are periods a bit cold, with highs around 10 °C (50 °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 record heat is 22 °C (71.5 °F) and was recorded in June 1949.

Best Time

The best time to visit Stykkisholmur 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.

Stykkisholmur - Climate data

In Stykkisholmur, the average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of 0.1 °C (32.1 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 11.2 °C (52.1 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Stykkisholmur, 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 (June) to 90 mm (3.5 in) in the wettest one (December). Here is the average precipitation.
At Stykkisholmur, the sea temperature ranges from 4 °C (39 °F) in February, March, April to 9 °C (48 °F) in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Stykkisholmur - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Stykkisholmur is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.3 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -2.1 °C (28.2 °F) and a maximum of 2.8 °C (37 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (17 °F). However, it dropped to -13 °C (8.6 °F) in January 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it reached 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) in January 1992.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 5 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are short.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 25 kph (16 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4.5 °C (40 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Stykkisholmur is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.1 °C (32 °F), with a minimum of -2.4 °C (27.6 °F) and a maximum of 2.5 °C (36.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -9 °C (16 °F). However, it dropped to -14.5 °C (5.9 °F) in February 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 8 °C (46.5 °F). However, it reached 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) in February 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 30 minutes.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 25 kph (16 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 4 °C (39 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Stykkisholmur is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.6 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -1.9 °C (28.6 °F) and a maximum of 3.1 °C (37.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8 °C (17.5 °F). However, it dropped to -14.6 °C (5.7 °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 12.2 °C (54 °F) in March 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 55 minutes.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 24 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 April, the weather in Stykkisholmur is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.2 °C (38 °F), with a minimum of 0.5 °C (32.9 °F) and a maximum of 5.9 °C (42.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23 °F). However, it dropped to -8.4 °C (16.9 °F) in April 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it reached 16.4 °C (61.5 °F) in April 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 minutes.
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 4 °C (39 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Stykkisholmur is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 6.1 °C (43 °F), with a minimum of 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) and a maximum of 8.9 °C (48 °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 -4.2 °C (24.4 °F) in May 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it reached 18.4 °C (65.1 °F) in May 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 19 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 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 June, the weather in Stykkisholmur is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 6.6 °C (43.9 °F) and a maximum of 12.2 °C (53.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to 0.4 °C (32.7 °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 (61.5 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in June 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 21 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 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 7 °C (45 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Stykkisholmur is usually mild. The average temperature is of 11.2 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) and a maximum of 13.8 °C (56.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.5 °C (38.3 °F) in July 2020.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in July 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 20 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are very long.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In August, the weather in Stykkisholmur is usually mild. The average temperature is of 10.9 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 8.4 °C (47.2 °F) and a maximum of 13.3 °C (56 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) in August 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 20.4 °C (68.7 °F) in August 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 9 °C (48 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Stykkisholmur is usually quite mild. The average temperature is of 8.4 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 6.1 °C (42.9 °F) and a maximum of 10.7 °C (51.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3 °C (26.6 °F) in September 2007.
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 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 55 minutes.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 8 °C (46 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Stykkisholmur is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.6 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 2.5 °C (36.5 °F) and a maximum of 6.8 °C (44.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -6.1 °C (21 °F) in October 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it reached 15.7 °C (60.3 °F) in October 2002.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 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 November, the weather in Stykkisholmur is usually cold. The average temperature is of 1.9 °C (35 °F), with a minimum of -0.3 °C (31.5 °F) and a maximum of 4.1 °C (39.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6.5 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -11.7 °C (10.9 °F) in November 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it reached 13 °C (55.4 °F) in November 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 6 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are short.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 24 kph (15 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 6 °C (42.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Stykkisholmur is usually cold. The average temperature is of 0.5 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -1.9 °C (28.5 °F) and a maximum of 3 °C (37.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (16.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13.8 °C (7.2 °F) in December 2004.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it reached 13.4 °C (56.1 °F) in December 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 14 days.
The day lasts on average 3 hours and 50 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 81%. 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.