Iceland weather by month

Iceland’s a year-round destination but its weather varies greatly across the seasons. Notoriously changeable, even in summer, it can be a source of anxiety for would-be visitors. Fortunately, those who do gamble on good weather find the extraordinary landscapes still have the wow factor even if sunshine doesn’t materialise. Nevertheless, factoring in what’s typical into your plans helps immensely when it comes to packing and to managing your expectations.

In this article, we’ll explore what makes Iceland’s weather so hard to forecast, the kind of conditions that statistically are most likely from month to month and how to prepare effectively for your trip no matter when you come. We’ll also take a look at how the Icelandic weather by month has a bearing on the tours you might book, with suggestions for when’s best for outdoor activities such as Northern Lights hunts, whale watching and hiking.

“If you don’t like the weather, wait five minutes.”

To understand why Iceland’s weather is so unpredictable, we need to focus on the ocean that surrounds it. Within the Atlantic, a powerful current called the Gulf Stream carries warm water from the Caribbean to northerly latitudes. A branch of this vital current flows to the west and south of Iceland and influences the air above it in the process.

But Iceland is also heavily influenced by the Arctic to the north, and this region is characterised by much colder air. When warm and cold air masses meet, the warm air is forced to rise. In doing so, it cools and condenses, leading to significant cloud formation. Where that occurs, storms can develop rapidly and rainfall is common.

This climatic activity helps to explain why the north of Iceland is typically not only drier but also wetter than more southerly destinations such as Reykjavik. As Iceland is a relatively small country – to drive from Reykjavik to Akureyri takes around five hours, for example – this can have a bearing on itinerary planning and where you choose to be based.

“There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.”

Perhaps the best thing to do when preparing for a visit to Iceland, no matter what the time of year, is to expect bad weather and pack accordingly. Layering up with warm undergarments and a water- and windproof outer shell, coupled with keeping extremities warm with hat, gloves and thick socks, is a good strategy. You can always peel off items you find you don’t need.

That said, Iceland isn’t as cold as you might expect. Often, it’s the wind chill that makes it feel colder than it actually is, especially if its blowing Arctic air down from the north. If you’re able to get out of the wind, or when it drops, you’ll feel a whole lot warmer. It’s also why it’s usually a waste of time packing an umbrella.

While it’s possible to see and do a lot no matter when you come, certain activities are a better fit in some seasons rather than others. Iceland’s seasonal weather patterns have an impact on certain outdoor activities, so let’s take a look at the best months to visit Iceland for some of them.

Geothermal lagoons

Soaking in a geothermal lagoon is generally considered a year-round activity. As most of your body is submerged in warm water, you can throw on a bobble hat and enjoy relaxing outdoors without feeling too cold. Some are more sheltered than others, however, and you might choose one with a transitional space indoors – where you enter the water before heading outside – to make the experience more pleasurable.

Whale watching

Likewise, whale watching season in Iceland lasts the whole year, though typically demand is higher in peak season (June to August) resulting in a greater choice of departures. Also, the lack of daylight restricts availability during the winter months. Most importantly, stormy weather whips up the waves and leads to cancellations. Many travelers prefer to venture out into open water on a calm day, so that’s a vote for the summer.

Northern Lights hunts

If you’re wondering when to see Northern Lights in Iceland, the aurora borealis shows up from late August through until late April. Both weather and sunset times impact Northern Lights hunts. To see the aurora when solar activity is high, you’ll need clear skies – clouds will obscure your view. It also needs to be very dark for the colors to pop, so you’ll need to wait until twilight is over. In winter, Northern Lights tours depart earlier in the evening as a result. Statistically the spring and autumn equinox are best for displays, but whether you have clear skies too is down to luck.

Hiking

People hike in Iceland throughout the year, but trails can get boggy, muddy or slippery with ice from autumn through until spring. Summer is the best season if you want to strike out along a scenic path to a hidden waterfall or delightful canyon. Consider hiring a guide for a long distance hike, both for safety’s sake and also to learn about the landscape and cultural background of the area through which you’re walking.

Boat trips on the glacier lagoons

Glacier lagoons such as Jökulsárlón and Fjallsárlón are deservedly popular with visitors to Iceland’s gorgeous south coast. You can visit on foot at any time of year but if you’re keen to take a boat trip, either a Zodiac or the amphibious boat at Jökulsárlón, you’ll need to come from late spring to early autumn as they operate seasonally.

Visits to the Highland region

It’s possible to get up into the mountainous Icelandic interior year-round, but only using specially-adapted super jeeps. In summer, however, that changes. The Highland Bus shuttles between Reykjavik and the Highlands, dropping passengers at Landmannalaugar and at Þórsmörk either for a day trip or overnight stay.

Birdwatching

Many species of birds overwinter in Iceland but the one that garners all the attention is a seasonal migrant. Puffins arrive at Iceland’s shores in April where they nest in cliff-side burrows to rear their chicks. By mid-August their offspring have fledged and the colony flies off en-masse back out to the open ocean where they’ll remain until spring.