The island of Iceland is situated in northern portion of the Atlantic Ocean between the Greenland and the Great Britain. It has maritime, cold, windy and shifty climate defined by warm North Atlantic Current and cold East Greenland Current as well as drifting Arctic ice that accumulates near northern and eastern coast of the country. Therefore weather on southern side of the island is warmer than in northern regions of it.

Tourist destinations are scattered over territory of the country. Severe and beautiful (and carefully preserved) nature of the island makes it one great resort. Small cozy towns, glaciers, mountains and valleys of Iceland are exciting and unforgettable.

Climate and Season

Top resorts:

• Blue Lagoon
• Húsavík
• Thórsmörk
• Hlíðarfjall
• Reykholt

 

Blue Lagoon (geothermal spa)

On southern coast of the Reykjanes Peninsula there is small town of Grindavik and in 4 km from it there is Svartsengi geothermal power station. The station uses steam from underground to produce electricity. Part of it is condensed to water with high concentration of silica and salt. This water accumulated in broad pond populated by algae. Temperature of the water is 37-39 °C (98-102 °F).

Climate in Blue Lagoon (geothermal spa) by seasons

Weather doesn’t really influences bathing in the Blue Lagoon, but climate of the region is influenced by the sea. Since the spa is located in southern part of the island, it has warmer weather. Spring average temperature grows from 3 °C (37 °F) to 9 °C (48 °F). Summer is slightly warmer with around 13 °C (55 °F) and occasional warming to around 17 °C (62 °F) predominantly in August.

Through autumn days become cooler each day until average reaches 4 °C in November. Winter average highs are at 2 °C (35 °F) and lows are around -1 °C (32 °F). Precipitation is well distributed over a year except drier summers.

Climate and Seasonality by Month

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun
2°C  36°F	3°C  37°F	3°C  37°F	5°C  41°F	8°C  46°F	12°C  54°F
⌘⛹	⌘⛹	⌘⛹	⌘⛹	⌘⛹	⌘⛹

Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
14°C  57°F	13°C  55°F	10°C  50°F	6°C  43°F	3°C  37°F	0°C  32°F
⌘⛹	⌘⛹	⌘⛹	⌘⛹	⌘⛹	⌘⛹

t° - average; ⌘ - excursion;  ⛹ - health

Húsavík

The town is situated on northern coast of the country. It is Iceland’s center of whale watching. During their seasonal migrations several species of whales are resting in the harbor of the town. It has themed Whale Museum and some spectacular geological formations in neighborhood.

Climate in Húsavík by Season

The town has cool maritime climate without severe frost or heat. March and April are rather cold months with 2-6 °C (35-42 °F) at afternoon and growth of nighttime temperature from -4 °C (25 °F) to -1 °C (30 °F). In May averages are crawling above freezing with daily range between 9 °C (48 °F) and 2 °C (35 °F). Summer is the warmest season with 15 °C (59 °F) in July and 13 °C (55 °F) in June and August. Nights have 5-7 °C (41-44 °F). Occasionally air warms up to 20 °C (68 °F) or even above.

Autumn reduction of temperatures follows from 10 °C (50 °F) in September to 3 °C (37 °F) in November. Nights in last month of autumn are as cool as -2 °C (28 °F). Daily range of average temperatures for whole winter is between 2 °C (35 °F) and -4 °C (25 °F).Precipitation is distributed over a year with May and June being driest months and October the rainiest one.

Climate and Seasonality by Month

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun
-2°C  29°F	-2°C  29°F	-2°C  29°F	1°C  33°F	4C  39°F	7°C  45°F
-	-	-	⌘	⌘	⌘

Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
9°C  48°F	8°C  47°F	6°C  43°F	3°C  37°F	0°C 42°F	-2°C  29°F
⌘	⌘	⌘	⌘	-	-

t° - average; ⌘ - excursion

Thórsmörk

The valley of Thórsmörk is one of the most beautiful places in Iceland. There are flowers, curvy rivers and glaciers that provide great area for hiking and trekking. Along with wandering among majestic mountains travelers may visit the Skogar village with traditional wooden cabins with turf covered with turf. Also there is museum of Icelandic culture.

Climate in Thórsmörk by Season

General cool maritime climate of the island is true to Thórsmörk too. During first two months of spring there are some night frosts, but weather becomes warmer through whole season. Average highs are growing from 3 °C (37 °F) to 9 °C (48 °F). In summer they reach mark 13 °C (55 °F), but warming to 20 °C (68 °F) or near it is not uncommon. Also summer is the driest season.

With onset of autumn afternoon average drops to 9 °C (48 °F) and cooling continues through whole season down to 2 °C (35 °F) in November. Nights of last month of autumn are as cold as -2 °C (28 °F). Average winter day has around 1 °C (34 °F), but temperature up to 5 °C (41 °F) may occur two. Winter nights are usually as cold as -4 °C (25 °F), temperature frequently goes below -10 °C (14 °F).

Climate and Seasonality by Month

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun
0°C  32°F	0°C  32°F	1°C  33°F	2°C  36°F	5°C  41°F	8°C  46°F
-	-	-	⌘	⌘	⌘

Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
9°C  48°F	9°C  48°F	7°C  45°F	5°C  41°F	2°C  36°F	0°C  32°F
⌘	⌘	⌘	⌘	⌘	-

t° - average; ⌘ - excursion

Hlíðarfjall

Hlíðarfjall ski resort is situated near the town of Akureyri. It is one of the largest localities in northern Iceland. The resort is one of the most popular and one the largest in country too. Skiing season lasts from November to April. 24 of its trails are well equipped and accessible through whole day. Also it is situated above long fjord that provides magnificent scenery.

Climate in Hlíðarfjall by Season

The resort has typical climate of northern Iceland with mildly warm summers and cold winters. Spring average highs start at 4 °C (39 °F) in March and gradually grow to 10 °C (50 °F) in May. Progression of nighttime temperature for same period is between -4 °C (25 °F) and -1 °C (30 °F). Average summer temperature is 14 °C (57 °F) for June and August and 16 °C (61 °F) for July, but occasionally days are warmer than 20 °C (68 °F). On the other hand nights are cool with average of 7-9 °C (44-48 °F).

Afternoon temperature of autumn goes from 10 °C (50 °F) in September to 3 °C (37 °F) in November. During winter daytime temperature fluctuates between 2 °C (35 °F) and 5 °C (41 °F) and at night there is usually -3 °C (26 °F) with occasional frosts below -10 °C (14 °F).

Climate and Seasonality by Month

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun
-1°C  30°F	-2°C  28°F	-1°C  30°F	3°C  37°F	7°C  45°F	10°C  50°F
⛷	⛷	⛷	⛷	⛹	⛹

Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
12°C  54°F	12°C  54°F	9°C  48°F	3°C  37°F	1°C  34°F	-1°C  30°F
⛹	⛹	⛹	⛹	⛹	⛷

t° - average; ⛷ - ski;  ⛹ - health

Reykholt

Small village in inland western part (to northeast from Reykjavík) of Iceland seems not very special, but in fact it is native village of Snorri Sturluson, great political figure and writer of Iceland. He wrote Younger Edda, one of main sources Scandinavian mythology and several other works. Small settlement with population of 60 people is cultural center and important tourist attraction of Iceland.

Climate at Reykholt by Season

Weather of the settlement is similar to the rest of the country. Weather of March is still winter-like with around 2 °C at afternoon and -3 °C (26 °F) at night. Night frost with temperature down to -15 °C (5 °F) is still possible. Next two months bring warming to 10 °C (50 °F) at afternoon and 4 °C (39 °F) at night. Summer days are as warm as 14 °C (57 °F) with occasional warming up to 20 °C (68 °F) and even above (only in August).

Autumn regression of temperature is basically reversed springtime warming. By the end of the season daily averages are between 3 °C (37 °F) and -1 °C (30 °F). Winters are pretty cold with afternoon average of 1 °C (34 °F) and -3 °C (26 °F) at night. Occasionally temperature drops to -15 °C (5 °F) at night.

Climate and Seasonality by Month

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun
-1°C  31°F	0°C  32°F	0°C  32°F	3°C  37°F	6°C  43°F	9°C  48°F
⌘	⌘	⌘	⌘	⌘	⌘

Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
10°C  50°F	10°C  50°F	7°C  45°F	4°C  40°F	1°C  34°F	0°C  32°F
⌘	⌘	⌘	⌘	⌘	⌘

t° - average; ⌘ - excursion