July and August, which are the hottest months in Iceland, have traditionally been the most preferred months for tourists to visit the country. And because there is continuous daylight in June, there are almost as many tourists as there are during the height of summer. However during this time of year, poor weather like heavy rain and strong winds may and does occur. Due to the unpredictable climate of the island, it is not uncommon for a single day to have elements of all four seasons.
Considering that Iceland's climate may maintain a comfortable temperature far into the first week of October, traveling there in September may be the best option. May also features more hours of daylight, making it ideal for outdoor excursions, and milder temperatures. However, this may not be the greatest time to visit if you are interested in visiting some of the more distant hills and fjords, since some roads are still blocked as they thaw from the snowy cover that they had over them over the winter.
The greatest time of year to go hiking in Iceland is during the summer, as this is the only season in which all of the mountain roads are passable and the majority of the country's most well-known paths are available.
When is the best time to see whales in Iceland?
The months of June and July are ideal for whale watching in Iceland. Northern Iceland has a longer season for seeing humpbacks, minkes, and dolphins, which cruise the Atlantic from May to August; some few humpbacks even stay until the end of the year. Blue whales also travel through in the summer.
Minke whales and dolphins can be seen near Reykjavik during the summer months, while orcas concentrate in West Iceland around the Snaefellsnes peninsula in the first part of the year.
Hot water baths in Iceland are an important part of the Icelandic culture, providing both social and wellness advantages. The public pools in Reykjavik are available all year. Visit them in September or the first half of October, while they're still still reachable by mountain road but the tourist numbers have greatly decreased.
In the table below you can quickly check the average weather in Iceland per month, the temperature per month or the period with the highest precipitation. Monthly average climate data is based on data from the last 30 years.
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South Iceland has a tundra climate. It is cold here all year round. The average annual temperature for South Iceland is 14° degrees and there is about 123 inch of rain in a year. It is dry for 140 days a year with an average humidity of 80% and an UV-index of 2.
North Iceland has a tundra climate. It is cold here all year round. The average annual temperature for North Iceland is 7° degrees and there is about 288 inch of rain in a year. It is dry for 82 days a year with an average humidity of 88% and an UV-index of 1.
East Iceland has a tundra climate. It is cold here all year round. The average annual temperature for East Iceland is 10° degrees and there is about 320 inch of rain in a year. It is dry for 76 days a year with an average humidity of 85% and an UV-index of 2.
West Iceland has a tundra climate. It is cold here all year round. The average annual temperature for West Iceland is 9° degrees and there is about 198 inch of rain in a year. It is dry for 138 days a year with an average humidity of 86% and an UV-index of 2.
What is the average Iceland weather like in a given month? Let's find out! Click on a month to check all the monthly averages for sunshine, temperature highs and lows, percentage chance of rain per day, snowfall accumulation and number of rainy days.
Iceland lies in a straight line about 2,708 miles from United States (New York → Reykjavík). By car the distance is 2,277 miles. The total travel time is 87 hours.
How long is the flight to Iceland?
The flight time from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) to Iceland is approximately 9 h. 50 min.
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