Reykjavik, Iceland Climate & Monthly Averages

The climate of Reykjavik

Reykjavik spends most of the year cold. July, the warmest month, averages 56°F (14°C) by day - a figure many cities in our dataset pass in early spring - while January holds at 35°F (2°C) with 202 wet days a year across the whole calendar.

Climate quick facts

• Hottest month: July - highs near 56°F (14°C)
• Coldest month: January - highs near 35°F (2°C)
• Decade extremes (2015-2024): 70°F (21°C) high · 2°F (-17°C) low
• Wettest month: October (18 rainy days) · Sunniest: July (9.6 h sun/day)
• Climate type: oceanic
• Annual swing: 12°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 4°C
• Snow: about 50 days a year
• Months with freezing average lows: 4
• Average humidity: 80%

Temperatures through the year

Snow falls on roughly 50 days a year, mostly October through May. Warmth peaks in July: highs of 56°F (14°C), lows of 47°F (9°C). January sits at the other end of the year: 35°F (2°C) by day, 27°F (-3°C) at night. Across the gridded 2015-2024 daily record, the highest daily maximum for this location was 70°F (21°C) and the lowest daily minimum 2°F (-17°C). Overnight lows average at or below freezing for 4 months, December through March.

Rain, sun and snow

Days and nights are about 4°C apart on average - narrower than almost anywhere else we cover. Relative humidity averages 80% across the year, more humid than roughly 84% of the cities we track. The wettest month is October (6.2 inches (158 mm) across 18 days) and the driest July.

How Reykjavik compares

• The city sees 5.7 hours of sunshine on an average day - duller than almost every other city we track.
• Reykjavik averages 40°F (5°C) across the year - cooler than almost every other city we track.
• Rain or snow reaches the ground on 202 days a year - more wet days than 91% of the 3496 cities we track.

Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.

Best time to visit Reykjavik

June to September is the sweet spot for Reykjavik - these are the warmest and brightest weeks of the year. Expect 54°F (12°C) in the afternoon and around 16 days of rain in a typical month of it. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in June.

Pack for Reykjavik with a heavy insulated coat, hat and gloves for winter and proper waterproofs rather than an umbrella - wet days are the norm here. Even in July, lows of 47°F (9°C) make an extra layer worth the space.