Weather & Climate in Iceland

Considering the northerly location of Iceland, its climate is much milder than might be expected. Iceland’s southern and western coasts experience relatively mild winter temperatures thanks to the warm waters of the Gulf Stream. July and August are the warmest months, and in general, the chances of fine weather improve as you move north and east.

The weather in Iceland is, on the whole, quite changeable and depends mostly on the tracks of the atmospheric depressions crossing the North Atlantic. The passage of a depression some distance south of Iceland causes relatively cold and dry weather, especially in southern districts, while one passing northeastward between Iceland and Greenland brings mild weather, moderately dry in the north. Coastal areas in Iceland tend to be windy—gales are common, especially in winter, but thunderstorms are extremely rare.

It is important to keep in mind that, at any time of year, the weather in Iceland can be unpredictable. A mild, sunny day can quickly turn into a tumultuous storm, complete with wind, rain and fog. In order to be comfortable throughout the trip, we highly recommend that you come prepared for changing conditions, as well as varying temperatures. Although not indicated in the local average temperature charts, it can become quite cold should we experience inclement weather, with temperatures sometimes dropping into the 30s.

MIDNIGHT SUN

For two to three months during the summer, there is continuous daylight in Iceland, and early spring and late autumn enjoy long periods of twilight. In summer, the nights are bright throughout the country, and in June, the sun in the north never fully goes down. The winter darkness (only three to four hours of daylight) lasts from about mid-November until the end of January.