The best times to visit Iceland for ideal weather are
January 1st to December 30th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Iceland Travel Guide
Other Iceland Travel Info
Weather in Iceland
Temperature
Average temperatures in Iceland vary somewhat. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold all year with a very low chance of rain or snow throughout the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 34th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Iceland, the hottest months are August, July, and then September. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally late July where highs are regularly around 54.4°F (12.4°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 44.8°F (7.1°C) at night.
Iceland Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
Key
Iceland Temperatures (Celsius)
Key
“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Iceland Perceived Temperature (F)
Key
Iceland Perceived Temperature (C)
Key
Average Iceland Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
---|---|---|---|
Jan | 35 | 30.7 | 26.1 |
Feb | 34.8 | 30.3 | 25.8 |
Mar | 35.5 | 31 | 26.5 |
Apr | 38.9 | 34.2 | 29.4 |
May | 43.2 | 38.6 | 34 |
Jun | 50.5 | 45.7 | 41.1 |
Jul | 53.3 | 48.5 | 44.3 |
Aug | 53.2 | 48.7 | 44.4 |
Sep | 50.3 | 45.9 | 41.7 |
Oct | 42.7 | 38.7 | 34.6 |
Nov | 38.9 | 34.8 | 30.8 |
Dec | 34.5 | 29.9 | 25.1 |
Show Celsius
Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
---|---|---|---|
Jan | 1.7 | -0.7 | -3.3 |
Feb | 1.6 | -0.9 | -3.4 |
Mar | 1.9 | -0.6 | -3.1 |
Apr | 3.8 | 1.2 | -1.4 |
May | 6.2 | 3.7 | 1.1 |
Jun | 10.3 | 7.6 | 5.1 |
Jul | 11.8 | 9.2 | 6.8 |
Aug | 11.8 | 9.3 | 6.9 |
Sep | 10.2 | 7.7 | 5.4 |
Oct | 5.9 | 3.7 | 1.4 |
Nov | 3.8 | 1.6 | -0.7 |
Dec | 1.4 | -1.2 | -3.8 |
Humidity and Wind
Iceland has some very humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is April (69.1% relative humidity), and the most humid month is August (76.8%).
Wind in Iceland is usually stronger than many places. The windiest month is February, followed by December and January. February’s average wind speed of around 15.1 knots (17.3 MPH or 27.9 KPH) is considered “a moderate breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in mid February where average top sustained speeds reach 25.7 knots, which is considered a strong breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Iceland.
Key
Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
Key
Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
Jan | 13.7 | Significant breeze | 22.7 | Very strong breeze |
Feb | 15.1 | Significant breeze | 24.2 | Very strong breeze |
Mar | 13.3 | Significant breeze | 22.9 | Very strong breeze |
Apr | 13.3 | Significant breeze | 21.1 | Strong breeze |
May | 11.4 | Significant breeze | 17.9 | Very strong breeze |
Jun | 9.7 | Gentle breeze | 15.5 | Significant breeze |
Jul | 9.1 | Gentle breeze | 14.6 | Very strong breeze |
Aug | 10 | Gentle breeze | 16.3 | Significant breeze |
Sep | 11.4 | Significant breeze | 18.5 | Very strong breeze |
Oct | 12 | Significant breeze | 19.6 | Strong breeze |
Nov | 13 | Significant breeze | 21 | Very strong breeze |
Dec | 14.4 | Significant breeze | 24 | Very strong breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
---|---|
Jan | 74.4% |
Feb | 72% |
Mar | 72.6% |
Apr | 69.1% |
May | 70% |
Jun | 72% |
Jul | 76.3% |
Aug | 76.8% |
Sep | 75% |
Oct | 75.8% |
Nov | 75.7% |
Dec | 74.6% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Iceland?
Our best data indicates this area is generally safe. As of Dec 04, 2023 there are no travel advisories or warnings for Iceland; exercise normal security precautions. Check this page for any recent changes or regions to avoid: Travel Advice and Advisories. This advisory was last updated on Nov 10, 2023.
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Iceland is January, followed by December and February. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Iceland in April. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
Key
Overall Iceland Travel Experience by Season
Spring (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel very cold. Highs range from 47.5°F (8.6°C) and 33.8°F (1°C) with warmer temperatures in the later months. Spring is the slowest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for deals.
Summer (June through August)
The middle-year months have cold weather with high temperatures that are still jacket weather. June – August is the second busiest season for tourism in Iceland, so lodging and other accommodations may cost slightly more.
Fall (September through November)
Fall daily highs range from 53.2°F (11.8°C) and 35.4°F (1.9°C), which will feel chilly given the humidity and wind. Tourism is fairly slow during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be lower priced.
Winter (December through February)
Weather is far too cold this time of year in Iceland to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 37.4°F (3°C) and 33°F (0.6°C). These times of year are the busiest with tourists.
Best Times to Travel › Iceland