What Is The Weather Like in Iceland?
Iceland's weather is famously unpredictable, with the local saying being that if you don't like the weather, wait five minutes. Thanks to the Gulf Stream, temperatures stay milder than the latitude suggests, but conditions can shift rapidly from sunshine to rain to wind within a single hour.
Summer temperatures in Reykjavik typically range from 10-15 degrees Celsius (50-59 degrees Fahrenheit), with occasional warmer days. Winter temperatures hover around 0 degrees Celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) on the coast, though wind chill can make it feel considerably colder. The interior and highlands experience more extreme conditions year-round.
Summer brings the famous midnight sun, with nearly 24 hours of daylight around the solstice in late June. This extended daylight allows for flexible sightseeing schedules and dramatic photography opportunities. Winter offers only 4-5 hours of daylight in December, but this darkness creates prime conditions for viewing the Northern Lights from September through March.
Rain and wind are constants regardless of season. Layered, waterproof clothing is essential, and you should always check road conditions before setting out, especially in winter when roads can close without warning.
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