Climate and Weather in Reykjavik, Iceland
The climate of Reykjavik
What is the capital of Iceland? Reykjavik is the capital of Iceland and with over 100,000 inhabitants it is also the largest city in Iceland. Reykjavik, which is located in the southwest, is characterized by the spacious layout of the city, where mainly low-rise buildings alternate with parks, squares and all kinds of facilities for the local population. The main sources of income for Reykjavik are tourism, trade, services and fishing. The city is known as a hip cozy city with an excellent nightlife and little crime. Reykjavik has a cool maritime climate (type Cfc according to the Köppen climate classification ), with relatively mild winters and fairly cool summers. In winter it is around freezing during the day and light frost is measured on average at night. Under the influence of the warm ocean water, it can also remain above freezing at night in the winter months. With a strong northerly current – bringing in cold Arctic air – the temperature can drop during the night to freezing temperatures of around minus twenty degrees or even lower. See abbreviations for Reykjavik.
On an annual basis, Reykjavik has about 1,300 hours of sunshine, 800 millimeters of precipitation and 225 precipitation days. Due to the supply of a large number of depressions, which are moving rapidly across Iceland, there are a large number of days with a fairly high wind force. Especially in autumn in Reykjavik it can be very bleak. The summer months are not warm on average, with an average maximum temperature of only about 13 degrees. In the period from the end of June to the beginning of August, the thermometer can in extreme cases rise to values that are close to the summer value of twenty-five degrees.
Climate figures
The figures below are based on long-term average climate statistics. The temperatures are displayed in degrees Celsius (°C).
| maximum temperature | minimum temperature | hours of sunshine per day | days of rainfall per month | water temperature | ||
| January | 1℃ | -4℃ | 1 | 18 | 4℃ | |
| February | 2℃ | -3℃ | 2 | 16 | 3℃ | |
| March | 3℃ | -2℃ | 3 | 19 | 3℃ | |
| April | 5℃ | -1℃ | 4 | 18 | 3℃ | |
| May | 9℃ | 3℃ | 6 | 16 | 4℃ | |
| June | 11℃ | 6℃ | 5 | 17 | 6℃ | |
| July | 13℃ | 7℃ | 6 | 17 | 8℃ | |
| August | 12℃ | 7℃ | 5 | 18 | 8℃ | |
| September | 9℃ | 4℃ | 4 | 18 | 7℃ | |
| October | 6℃ | 1℃ | 2 | 20 | 5℃ | |
| November | 2℃ | -2℃ | 1 | 18 | 5℃ | |
| December | 1℃ | -4℃ | 0 | 20 | 4℃ |
The weather in Reykjavik
Here you will find the weather forecast for Reykjavik. View the current weather in Reykjavik and the forecast for the coming days, such as temperatures, the chance of precipitation, the wind direction and the wind strength. With this weather data you can see what kind of weather you can expect in Reykjavik. Based on the climate statistics, we describe the weather per month in Reykjavik. This is not a long-term forecast, but gives the average weather forecast for all months of the year. Do you want to see the detailed weather forecast for Reykjavik? On the page with extra weather information we show the chance of snow, the wind chill, visibility, UV strength, air pressure and more good weather information.
An average weather picture per month can be compiled on the basis of long-term climate statistics, certain weather patterns and specific events.
The weather in January
In January, the average maximum temperature in Reykjavik is around 1 degrees Celsius. The average minimum temperature in January is -4 degrees. The number of hours that the sun is visible in January at this destination is around 1 hour per day. Within the whole month there is precipitation for about 18 days. If you look at the long-term averages, this ensures a reasonable amount of precipitation during this month.
The weather in February
In the month of February, the average maximum temperature in Reykjavik is around 2 degrees Celsius. The average minimum temperature in February is -3 degrees. The number of hours that the sun is visible in February at this destination is around 2 hours per day. Within the whole month there is precipitation for about 16 days. If you look at the long-term averages, this ensures a reasonable amount of precipitation during this month.
The weather in March
In the month of March, the average maximum temperature in Reykjavik is around 3 degrees Celsius. The average minimum temperature in March is -2 degrees. The number of hours that the sun is visible in March at this destination is around 3 hours per day. Within the entire month there is precipitation for about 19 days. If you look at the long-term averages, this ensures a reasonable amount of precipitation during this month.
The weather in April
In the month of April, the average maximum temperature in Reykjavik is around 5 degrees Celsius. The average minimum temperature in April is -1 degrees. The number of hours that the sun is visible in April at this destination is around 4 hours per day. Within the whole month there is precipitation for about 18 days. If you look at the long-term averages, this ensures a reasonable amount of precipitation during this month.
The weather in May
In the month of May, the average maximum temperature in Reykjavik is around 9 degrees Celsius. The average minimum temperature in May is 3 degrees. The number of hours that the sun is visible in May in this destination is around 6 hours per day. Within the whole month there is precipitation for about 16 days. If you look at the long-term averages, this ensures a reasonable amount of precipitation during this month.
The weather in June
In the month of June, the average maximum temperature in Reykjavik is around 11 degrees Celsius. The average minimum temperature in June is 6 degrees. The number of hours that the sun is visible in June at this destination is around 5 hours per day. Within the whole month there is precipitation for about 17 days. If you look at the long-term averages, this means that there will not be much precipitation this month.
The weather in July
In July, the average maximum temperature in Reykjavik is around 13 degrees Celsius. The average minimum temperature in July is 7 degrees. The number of hours that the sun is visible in July at this destination is around 6 hours per day. Within the whole month there is precipitation for about 17 days. If you look at the long-term averages, this means that there will not be much precipitation this month.
The weather in August
In the month of August, the average maximum temperature in Reykjavik is around 12 degrees Celsius. The average minimum temperature in August is 7 degrees. The number of hours that the sun is visible in August in this destination is around 5 hours per day. Within the whole month there is precipitation for about 18 days. If you look at the long-term averages, this ensures a reasonable amount of precipitation during this month.
The weather in September
In September, the average maximum temperature in Reykjavik is around 9 degrees Celsius. The average minimum temperature in September is 4 degrees. The number of hours that the sun is visible in September at this destination is around 4 hours per day. Within the whole month there is precipitation for about 18 days. If you look at the long-term averages, this ensures a reasonable amount of precipitation during this month.
The weather in October
In October, the average maximum temperature in Reykjavik is around 6 degrees Celsius. The average minimum temperature in October is 1 degrees. The number of hours that the sun is visible in October at this destination is around 2 hours per day. Within the whole month there is precipitation for about 20 days. If you look at the long-term averages, this ensures a reasonable amount of precipitation during this month.
The weather in November
In November, the average maximum temperature in Reykjavik is around 2 degrees Celsius. The average minimum temperature in November is -2 degrees. The number of hours that the sun is visible in November at this destination is around 1 hour per day. Within the whole month there is precipitation for about 18 days. If you look at the long-term averages, this ensures a reasonable amount of precipitation during this month.
The weather in December
In the month of December, the average maximum temperature in Reykjavik is around 1 degrees Celsius. The average minimum temperature in December is -4 degrees. The number of hours that the sun is visible in December at this destination is around 0 hours per day. Within the whole month there is precipitation for about 20 days. If you look at the long-term averages, this ensures a reasonable amount of precipitation during this month.
