Climate in Iceland

The weather in Iceland is on the whole quite changeable and depends mostly on the tracks of the atmospheric depressions crossing the North Atlantic. The passage of a depression some distance south of Iceland causes relatively cold and dry weather, especially in southern districts, while one passing northeastward between Iceland and Greenland brings mild weather, moderately dry in the north.

Coastal areas in Iceland tend to be windy, gales are common, especially in winter, but thunderstorms are extremely rare.

The Northern Lights are often to be seen, especially in autumn and early winter.

For two to three months in summer there is continuous daylight in Iceland, and early spring and late autumn enjoy long twilights. The really dark period (three to four hours daylight) lasts from about mid-November until the end of January.

Climatic tables for Iceland