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Climate in Iceland

Weather
Considering the northerly location of Iceland, its climate is much milder than might be expected, especially in winter. The average annual temperature for Reykjavík is 5 C, the average January temperature being -0.4 C and July 11.2 C. The annual rainfall on the south coast is about 3000 mm, whereas in the highlands north of Vatnajökull it drops to 400 mm or less.

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 the chances of fine weather improve as you move north and east. While they're more prone to clear weather than the coastal areas, the interior deserts can experience other problems such as blizzards and high winds that whip up dust and sand into swirling, gritty maelstroms.

Coastal areas in Iceland tend to be windy and gales are common, especially in winter. Thunderstorms are extremely rare. It must be remembered that the weather in Iceland can change very rapidly so make sure to check the weather forecast to see what is in store. In the winter you can never be too cautious if you are planning on travelling outside the capital area.

The Northern Lights
The Northern Lights can often be seen on clear, cold nights when the moon isn't too bright. The best time of the year is between November and February when the sky is at its darkest. The Northern Lights are easiest to see in the open countryside where there is not much light pollution. They usually appear after dinner, beginning around 9pm and continuing until well past midnight.

Midnight Sun
For two months in the summer there is continuous daylight in Iceland. Spring and autumn also enjoy long periods of twilight. Depending on how far north you are in Iceland there are some days or weeks in June when you can still see the sun at 12 o'clock midnight. This is possible in Reykjavik from around 18th - 24th June. There are special tours offered to the island of Grimsey, which is the only part of Iceland to lie within the Arctic Circle. Here visitors can experience the magic of seeing the sun never set.

The winter darkness, with only three to four hours' daylight, lasts from around November until the end of January.

Time
Iceland is on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT) throughout the year, and does not change for daylight saving time. When it is noon in Reykjavik during the summer it is 08:00 in New York City, 13:00 in London, 14:00 in Paris, 14:00 in Oslo, 14:00 in Luxembourg, 14:00 in Rome and 21:00 in Tokyo.

Clothing
The weather in Iceland is very fickle. The most basic and necessary clothing items, regardless of the time of year, are a sweater, a waterproof windbreaker and sturdy shoes. Jeans are not very practical as they tend to become very cold when wet and take a long time to dry. Swimwear should be brought along as there are warm outdoor pools and whirlpools all around Iceland. Swimming and relaxing in the whirlpools are very popular activities whatever the weather.

Travellers who plan to go camping or are heading into the interior should take warm underclothes and socks, a thermal sleeping-bag and all essential supplies.