Daily highest temperatures is about 8°C. What to Pack: You'll need to pack a variety of clothes for fall, given the diversity of weather. These storms are very frequent in the early summer in the arid highland areas north of the Vatnajökull glacier. What You Need to Know About Traveling to Scandinavia in September. The Icelandic winter is relatively mild for its latitude, owing to maritime influence and proximity to the warm currents of the North Atlantic Gyre. September has more rainy days than in the previous summer months. April Average temperatures: High is 5.7 °C (42.3 °F) | Low is 0.4 °C (32.7 °F). Average Temperatures in September: High is 10 °C (50.2 °F) | Low is 5 °C (41 °F). Layering is key in Iceland, even in the middle of summer. In October we continue the cooling trend that started in September. Nevertheless, there is a noticeable shift in the weather Iceland has. Read more. It's also noticeably less wet than in March. Iceland, near the Arctic Circle, actually has a cold, temperate climate due to the North Atlantic Current that carries Gulf Stream warm water north. You'll be, Iceland Summer Weather and the Midnight Sun, What to Expect for Iceland's August Weather, Iceland’s Fall Weather - A Time of Transition, With precipitation falling in the form of snow, sleet, and hail, Iceland’s winter weather is unpredictable. The Iceland average temperature is lower in spring that what you might be used to. With precipitation falling in the form of snow, sleet, and hail, Iceland’s winter weather is unpredictable. October through December is also the rainy season in Iceland, making outdoor adventures harder to find. Read more. This effect is aided by the Irminger Current, which also helps to moderate the island's temperature. [4] The highest temperature recorded was 30.5 °C (86.9 °F) in the Eastern fjords in 1939. When it comes to precipitation, February is a bit humider. This page includes a chart with historical data for Iceland Average Temperature. This area affects the amount of air brought into the Arctic to the east, and the amount coming out of the Arctic to the west. The island lies in the path of the North Atlantic Current, which makes its climate more temperate than would be expected for its latitude just south of the Arctic Circle. Any of these do occasionally cause damage, although the sparse population further reduces the probability of detection and the hazard. The island lies in the path of the North Atlantic Current, which makes its climate more temperate than would be expected for its latitude just south of the Arctic Circle. The Iceland average temperature is lower in spring that what you might be used to. Average temperature in March ranges from 3°C to 4°C. January Averages: High is 1.9 °C (35.4 °F) | Low is -3 °C (26.6 °F). But if you have the right layers, you’ll be fine. Low is -2 °C (28.4 °F). Be sure to stay vigilant and check the weather report frequently. Alright, now we’re in the home stretch. The highest peak in Iceland is Hvannadalshnúkur, which is part of Öræfajökull volcano, is located in the southern limit of Vatnajökull, and is 2,110 high meters (6,920 ft) high. You’ll find that the Icelandic climate is not as harsh or extreme as some people expect. But in general, it’s usually quite mild. And of course, the Highlands have reopened; which means adventure on Iceland’s F-roads is just around the corner. They are most common in early or late summer. We’re reaching the light at the end of the tunnel. The climate of Iceland is subpolar oceanic (Köppen climate classification Cfc)[1] near the southern coastal area and tundra (Köppen ET) inland in the highlands. Iceland is extremely windy; when combined with sleet and freezing rain of October you’ll need to protect yourself from the elements. Low is -2.1 °C (28.2 °F). Become acquainted with the Icelandic version of Accuweather, the Iceland Meteorological Office website. And I have one last tip. Lightning can usually be observed in connection with ash plumes erupting from the island's volcanoes. Wind speed in the lowlands reaches 18 m/s (40 mph) on 10–20 days per year, but on upwards of 50 days per year in places in the highlands. Prices and temperatures have started to dip, and you can still enjoy activities like Vatnajökull National Park. In Iceland, we use the standard system for weights and measures along with Celsius for talking about degrees. Chances of rain are about 55% and average precipitation in this month is 14mm as well. That means that even though winters are cold, Iceland generally experiences higher average temperatures than other places in the world located at a similar latitude. The temperature in Iceland is low enough for there to be icicles hanging from your lashes, so be wary of frostbite. It’s also slightly cooler, but not quite cold enough to make your teeth chatter. By using Tripsavvy, you accept our. They can be caused by warm air masses coming up from Europe, or deep lows from the southwest in wintertime. [18], "Koppen climate classification | climatology", "Climate of the World: Iceland | weatheronline.co.uk", "Seasons and Climate | Iceland Travel | Weather in Iceland", "Tornadoes in Europe: Synthesis of the Observational Datasets", "Tornadoes leave South Iceland farm in ruins", "Climate Prediction Center - Teleconnections: North Atlantic Oscillation", Reykjavík, Iceland Forecast: Weather Underground, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Climate_of_Iceland&oldid=960783380, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License, This page was last edited on 4 June 2020, at 21:54. March is wet and windy but the good news is that we’re getting more sunlight every single day. May Averages: High is 9.4 °C (48.9 °F) | Low is 3.6 °C (38.5 °F) Rainfall: 4.3 cm (1.7 inches) Average October Temperatures: High is 6.8 °C (44.2 °F) | Low is 2.2 °C (36 °F). It’s a lovely time to visit Iceland because there are not too many tourists around and temperatures aren’t extremely low. Up to 10 t (9.8 long tons; 11.0 short tons) of material can be in motion per transect per hour. Reykjavik, Iceland's capital and largest city, reached 76.6 degrees Fahrenheit (24.8 degrees Celsius) in 2004 and minus 12.1 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 24.5 degrees Celsius) in 1918. This is a great time of year to visit beautiful frozen waterfalls like Gullfoss on the Golden Circle. It’s nearly Christmas in Iceland, and we’re approaching the winter solstice. Temperatures are warm but keep in mind that “hot” is a relative term. So 10 ºC is approximately 50 ºF. But the warming waters of the Gulf Stream produce a microclimate that keeps us from turning into human popsicles. As far as the weather is concerned, you’re pretty safe when visiting in June. September. The summer solstice means the Midnight Sun, so bring your sleep mask. A large portion of the summer masses have returned home, and the island feels a little less crowded. Averages for February: High is 2.8 °C (37 °F). Warm summer days can reach 20–25 °C (68–77 °F). We’re in the midst of winter, and not much has changed; you’ll find a mixed bag of sunny and gloomy, overcast days. The shortest days of the year give us very limited light due to our Northern latitude. The lowest temperatures in the northern part of the island range from around −25 to −30 °C (−13 to −22 °F). Weather in February Experience the Nordic winter in February in Iceland, there is usually a lot of snow and average temperature is 0,4°C. What to Pack: It never really gets hot in Iceland due to the Gulf Stream bringing cooler air into the country throughout the nightless summer, so bring a light jacket even in the warmest season. We are ever so slightly warming up and getting ready for the festivals and celebrations of summer. Spring might be the best time of year to visit Iceland—aside from the busy tourist season of summer—because of its crisp weather, normal daylight hours (compared to North America), and significantly cheaper pricing for accommodations, flights, and travel. Still, with the cultural events like plays, musicals, and orchestra performances resuming in the off-season, there's plenty to keep you entertained throughout the fall. We’ve laid out the Iceland average temperature and precipitation for all four seasons. We’ve got sunnier, less windy weather than in previous months. Average November Temperatures: High is 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) | Low is -1.3 °C (29.7 °F). It’s still cold and we’re waiting for spring to arrive. March: Climate in Iceland starts an increasing tendency. The temperature in Reykjavik keeps things pretty frozen, but they will thaw out again in the spring. Sturdy, warm footwear is a must as well. In fact, New York's winter is much colder even though it's technically further south on the globe. It’s a great time of year to hike Svartifoss or visit the Blue Lagoon. Iceland weather might surprise you, so let’s compare. The Weather and Climate in Washington, D.C. If you’re used to seeing temperatures written in Fahrenheit, this can throw you off a bit. Classic mesocyclone derived tornadoes (i.e. [12] Heavy dust storms can be generated by strong glacial winds, and can be very strong. Spring might be the best time of year to visit Iceland—aside from the busy tourist … Summertime is by far the most popular time to visit Iceland. Prices for airfare are drastically lower in the winter season due to a decrease in tourists traveling to the country, but keep in mind that Christmas and holiday travel will still be slightly more expensive than other non-peak travel days. Spring first arrives in April, bringing with it warmer temperatures and the first signs of green grass and flowers. If you're planning to visit Iceland, the most popular travel times are during the summer months of May through August when you can enjoy lots of daylight hours. Consult the forecast regularly, and if you are driving, check the weather hourly. This is the last true month of winter before it starts heating up as we head into summer. Spring in Iceland is short; some might even say nonexistent. Thanks again to the Gulf Stream air, winters are typically milder than elsewhere in the world. June has the least amount of precipitation during the year, and it’s usually just light rain or drizzle. The low mercury reading on the thermometer mixed with lots of precipitation means snowy weather conditions and icy roads. Skiing and snowboarding near Dalvik and Akureyri are favorite wintertime activities. The Weather and Climate in Nashville, Tennessee. What to Pack: Pack warm layers, including sweaters, multiple base layers, and a heavy coat or jacket. And of course, the reverse is true for converting Fahrenheit to Celsius. August averages for temperature: High of 13 °C (55.4 °F) | Low is 7.9 °C (46.2 °F). Landspouts and waterspouts are occasionally observed. [13], Thunderstorms are extremely rare for any specific location in Iceland, with fewer than five storms per year in the southern part of the island. You may feel like you’re in a winter wonderland as you see the cities, towns, and scenery blanketed in snow and ice. Weather in Kansas City, Missouri: Climate, Seasons and Average Monthly Temperature, The Weather and Climate in Salt Lake City, September in New Zealand: Weather and Event Guide, Weather in Iceland: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperature, Tripsavvy uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. This is a great time of year to visit beautiful frozen waterfalls like Gullfoss on the Golden Circle. Based on weather reports collected during 1985–2015. Keep in mind that because the Gulf Stream brings milder air from the Atlantic Ocean in contact with colder Arctic air, the skies are frequently overcast with driving wind and rain and abrupt weather shifts—you might just experience four seasons in one day! [14] Vortices, sometimes on the scale of tornadoes, also occur with volcanic eruptions. [4] The strongest measured 10-minute sustained wind speed is 62.5 m/s (140 mph) and the strongest gust 74.2 m/s (166 mph). The nice weather conditions continue during July. Travelers continue to clear out as temperatures start to drop. Annual average sunshine hours in Reykjavík are around 1300, which is similar to towns in Scotland and Ireland.[5]. Icelandic winters are close to what you’ll find in places like New York. There are plenty of outdoor activities like horseback riding, hiking, and even swimming, but many theatres, operas, and symphony performances are suspended during this busy time of the year when Icelanders take their summer vacations.