Iceland

Climate in Iceland

As the name suggests, Iceland's climate is cold, but not as cold as might be expected because of the passing warm waters of the Gulf Stream, which regulate the climate. The summer temperatures in Reykjavík, between June and August, range from 41ºF (5ºC) at night to as high as 77ºF (25ºC) during the day. The average mid-winter temperature, in January, is 31ºF (-0.5ºC).

The south is the wettest part of the country, but snow is rare. Coastal areas tend to experience winter gales and are generally windy. During the summer months, there is almost continuous daylight; early spring and late autumn feature long twilights. The opposite is true in the darkness of winter from mid-November until the end of January, when the country only experiences a few hours of daylight each day.

The Northern Lights are often visible in autumn and early winter. The best time to visit Iceland depends on the desired activity. Generally summer is the most pleasant time to visit but the Northern Lights are a big draw card in the colder months.