Iceland Weather: Temperatures, Seasons and What to Wear Year Round
Weather & Conditions
Trust the next 24 to 48 hours, not a ten day forecast. Check your destination on the Icelandic Met Office and your route on road.is before you go.
- Pack windproof, waterproof layers.
- Check official warnings for your destination and travel times, not just Reykjavík.
What can I do today?
See what the weather means for your plans. Plan today →
Can I drive today?
Check the wind and roads before setting off. Check today's drive →
How far ahead can I trust a forecast?
24 to 48 hours for decisions; longer forecasts are only hints
How far ahead can I trust a forecast?
24 to 48 hours for decisions; longer forecasts are only hints
Do not change plans over rain predicted a week away. Check again nearer the day.
Today to 48 hours
Use for day plans; recheck before you go.
3 to 5 days
A rough guide, not a fixed plan.
7 to 10 days
Too far out for decisions.
Instead: pack for change; use the next 24 to 48 hours on vedur.is to decide which day to do each activity.
How fast can the weather change?
Bring layers and a windproof, waterproof shell
How fast can the weather change?
Bring layers and a windproof, waterproof shell
Bring layers: sun, rain, snow and wind can arrive in one day. It may feel colder just outside Reykjavík.
Bring: windproof, waterproof outerwear, a hat and gloves.
Why Reykjavík weather is not enough
Check the region you are travelling into
Why Reykjavík weather is not enough
Check the region you are travelling into
How to read an official warning
Check its region, colour and start and end times
How to read an official warning
Check its region, colour and start and end times
How to Read an Icelandic Weather Warning
Check the hazard, region and times before changing your plans.
What yellow, orange and red actually mean
The Met Office warning colour describes expected impact, not just wind speed.
Yellow: Be aware.
Simplify exposed drives or walks. Check the specific hazard and your route before deciding.
Orange: Be prepared. Change your plans.
Significant disruption is possible. Change exposed travel plans; check for closures and cancellations.
Red: Take action. Do not travel.
Dangerous conditions. Do not travel in the affected area; follow official instructions and stay sheltered.
Check your region, not Iceland as a whole. Reykjavík can be calm while the south east has a warning. Different hazards may overlap in one region.
Every warning has a start and an end time
Check when it applies, including your return journey. Every warning has a start and end time.
- Read both times. A warning ending at 11:00 does not clear the roads automatically. One starting at 18:00 may affect your return.
- Check the current notice. A saved screenshot may be out of date.
- Warnings can change. Check before leaving and before returning.
Icelandic local time is UTC all year; the clocks do not change.
Start reading it before your trip, not on the day
Practise reading your region on vedur.is and your route on road.is before your trip. Watch how warnings, wind and road status change. A distant forecast cannot predict your travel dates.
The two minute routine: open the warnings map , find your region, read the colour and the times. Then open road.is and check your route. Repeat before each journey.
Our Can I drive today? check interprets official information, but does not replace the Met Office or Vegagerðin.
Temperatures by season
Summer, autumn, winter and spring
Temperatures by season
Summer, autumn, winter and spring
Summer (June-August)
Around 10 to 15°C (50 to 59°F). Long days, but wind and rain still call for layers.
Autumn (September-October)
Around 2 to 10°C (36 to 50°F). Wind and rain increase; days shorten. Northern lights may be visible when it is dark and clear.
Winter (November-February)
Often around −1 to 4°C (30 to 39°F), with colder wind chill. Expect short days and dark nights for northern lights.
Spring (March-May)
Around 0 to 8°C (32 to 46°F). Winter conditions can linger into April; daylight grows quickly.
Official forecasts and safety sources
Weather, roads and SafeTravel
Official forecasts and safety sources
Weather, roads and SafeTravel
Common questions
Clothes, tap water, cold, lights and wind
Common questions
Clothes, tap water, cold, lights and wind
Questions visitors often ask
What should I wear in Iceland?
Wear layers and windproof, waterproof outerwear, even in summer.
Is tap water safe to drink in Iceland?
Yes. Drink from the cold tap. Geothermal hot water can smell like sulfur. Bottled water is optional.
How cold does it get in Iceland?
Winter temperatures are often around 0 degrees Celsius. Wind chill can make it feel colder. Summer is mild, typically 10 to 15 degrees.
Can I see the Northern Lights in summer?
No. You need darkness, and Iceland's summer nights never get fully dark. Your best window is September through March.
Is wind a problem in Iceland?
Yes. Secure loose items and hold car doors in sudden gusts; wear a windproof layer.
Winter planning tools
Winter planning tools
Winter is close
Two things worth checking every winter morning
In winter the two questions that decide your day are: is the road safe right now, and how much light do I actually get. Both are free, both work on your phone, and you can save them to your home screen.
The three checks, in this order
- 1. vedur.is for the weather and any warnings.
- 2. road.is for road status and closures.
- 3. Can I drive today? which reads both feeds for your exact spot and answers in one line: Go, Caution, or Not today.
Your next step
You understand the forecast now. The next move is turning that into what goes in your suitcase.
What to pack for these conditionsWindproof over warm, and the items people regret leaving at home.Once you are here, Local Notes carries the current week: conditions, closures, and what is open.