Best time to visit Iceland
Iceland has its best weather in July and August. Peak season is June to August.
Iceland weather by month
Average daily high and low, rainy days (1 mm or more) and hours of sunshine per day, 2015 to 2024.
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Rain days | Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 35°F | 27°F | 6 in | 18 | 1.5 h |
| February | 36°F | 27°F | 5.9 in | 17 | 3.4 h |
| March | 38°F | 29°F | 5.2 in | 17 | 6.1 h |
| April | 43°F | 34°F | 5.2 in | 17 | 7.5 h |
| May | 48°F | 39°F | 4.8 in | 19 | 9.4 h |
| June | 53°F | 44°F | 3.7 in | 16 | 9.1 h |
| July | 56°F | 48°F | 3.3 in | 16 | 9.6 h |
| August | 56°F | 47°F | 4.1 in | 14 | 8.8 h |
| September | 51°F | 43°F | 5.4 in | 18 | 6.2 h |
| October | 44°F | 37°F | 6.2 in | 18 | 4.3 h |
| November | 39°F | 32°F | 5.1 in | 16 | 2.2 h |
| December | 35°F | 28°F | 5.3 in | 18 | 0.7 h |
Iceland month by month
Iceland in January
Highs around 35°F, lows near 27°F. About 18 rainy days and 1.5 h of sunshine a day.
Northern lights
Hardest monthIceland in February
Highs around 36°F, lows near 27°F. About 17 rainy days and 3.4 h of sunshine a day.
Northern lights
Hardest monthIceland in March
Highs around 38°F, lows near 29°F. About 17 rainy days and 6.1 h of sunshine a day.
Northern lights
Hardest monthIceland in April
Highs around 43°F, lows near 34°F. About 17 rainy days and 7.5 h of sunshine a day.
Northern lights
Hardest monthIceland in May
Highs around 48°F, lows near 39°F. About 19 rainy days and 9.4 h of sunshine a day.
Puffins
Mixed weatherIceland in June
Highs around 53°F, lows near 44°F. About 16 rainy days and 9.1 h of sunshine a day.
Midnight sun · Puffins
Good weatherPeak seasonIceland in July
Highs around 56°F, lows near 48°F. About 16 rainy days and 9.6 h of sunshine a day.
Midnight sun · Puffins · Highland roads
Best weatherPeak seasonIceland in August
Highs around 56°F, lows near 47°F. About 14 rainy days and 8.8 h of sunshine a day.
Puffins · Highland roads
Best weatherPeak seasonIceland in September
Highs around 51°F, lows near 43°F. About 18 rainy days and 6.2 h of sunshine a day.
Northern lights
Mixed weatherIceland in October
Highs around 44°F, lows near 37°F. About 18 rainy days and 4.3 h of sunshine a day.
Northern lights
Hardest monthIceland in November
Highs around 39°F, lows near 32°F. About 16 rainy days and 2.2 h of sunshine a day.
Northern lights · Iceland Airwaves
Hardest monthIceland in December
Highs around 35°F, lows near 28°F. About 18 rainy days and 0.7 h of sunshine a day.
Northern lights
Hardest month
Seasons and events
- May–Aug
Puffins
Between May and mid-August, puffins gather in large colonies along the South Coast and in the Westfjords.
Source: Visit Iceland - Jun and Jul
Midnight sun
From late May through July the sun barely dips below the horizon. June is the peak, with daylight close to 24 hours.
Source: Visit Iceland - Jul and Aug
Highland roads
Most mountain roads (F-roads) do not open until late June or early July, once the ground has thawed. Storms can close roads in winter without warning.
Source: Icelandic Road and Coastal Administration - Sep–Apr
Northern lights
Visible anywhere in Iceland from about late August to late April on dark, clear or partly clear nights. From May to July the sky is too bright.
Source: Visit Iceland - Nov
Iceland Airwaves
A multi-genre music festival in November, held across many venues in Reykjavik, with a music industry conference alongside.
Source: Iceland Airwaves
Plan Iceland for July
Lay the trip out day by day in Waiz, on a timeline and a map, and plan it with friends in real time. Pro adds AI itineraries and the forecast for every day.
Questions about visiting Iceland
August scores highest for weather in Reykjavik, with highs around 56°F and about 14 rainy days. The best stretch of the year is July and August.
October is the wettest month in Reykjavik, with about 6.2 in of rain over 18 days. July is the driest, with about 3.3 in.
Peak season is June to August, according to Visit Iceland. The best-weather months overlap with it, so book early.
July is the warmest month in Reykjavik, with average highs of 56°F. January is the coolest, at 35°F.
Climate figures are monthly averages of daily ERA5 reanalysis data for 2015 to 2024, retrieved from Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0). The verdict scores each month on temperature, humidity, rain and daylight, and marks months with typhoons, hurricanes or monsoon rain down.
