If you’re planning a trip to Iceland, you probably have a lot of questions about what type of weather to expect when you are there. Most people who visit Iceland spend at least some time in Reykjavik, so it’s important to understand what type of weather you should expect in the city. For lots of visitors to Reykjavik, snow is a topic of interest. Some people may be very keen to experience snow during their visit, while others may be concerned about how snow might affect their visit. Here, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about what to expect when it comes to snow in Reykjavik.

Snow in Reykjavik

The short answer is yes, it does snow in Reykjavik. As would be expected for a country with coastlines along some of the coldest waters in the world, Iceland gets a fair amount of snowfall. However, Reykjavik is located in the south of the island where the climate is a little milder compared to other regions of the country. So, while snow does fall in Reykjavik, it doesn’t happen as frequently or heavily as in the north or the highlands.

So, how much does it snow in Reykjavik? As you might imagine, winter is when the capital experiences the most snowfall, between the months of late October and late April. December and January typically bring the most snowfall, with an average 1-inch accumulation, though sometimes up to two inches or more during these periods. If you plan to visit during these months, don’t be too concerned about your visit being disrupted. Reykjavik is prepared for snow and you can still get out and enjoy the sites without trouble.

 

 

 

 

More about Weather in Reykjavik

Iceland is well known for weather that can change quickly and dramatically without much warning. For this reason, it’s important for you to know what to expect. Though you now know that Reykjavik doesn’t normally get an inconvenient amount of snow, you might still want to know a little more about the city’s weather in general.

Reykjavik gets a lot more rain than snow, with the rainiest parts of the year occurring between the months of September and February. During these months of the year, the city typically gets an average of 4 inches of rain, though sometimes as much as 7 or even 8 inches. This is why visitors are always advised to bring plenty of waterproof gear when packing for a trip to Iceland! Even in the summer months like June and July, visitors can expect rainfall in the area of 2-3 inches, so it’s always important to prepare for wet weather when traveling to Reykjavik.

In terms of temperatures in Reykjavik, you might be surprised. Many people expect Iceland to be extremely cold when in reality, it’s one of the milder Nordic countries. During the colder months (November to April) you can expect high temperatures up to about 4C (40F) and lows dipping down to roughly -2C (28F). Explore our blogs to find out more about the warmest times and best times to visit Iceland. You can also learn about Iceland’s temperatures month by month. 

 

When Does it Snow in Iceland?

Chances are, if you’re coming all the way to Iceland, you’ll want to get out of Reykjavik and see as much as you can. For this reason, it’s important to know what you should expect in terms of snow in areas of Iceland outside of the capital city, 

Snowfall in Iceland typically begins in late October and can last as late as the end of April. The peak months for snow in Iceland are December, January, and February. While Reykjavik experiences lighter snowfall, areas like the Westfjords, Akureyri in the north, or the remote Highlands can all experience significant snowfall, sometimes sitting beneath a thick blanket for the whole season. 

In most instances, if you stick to the main roads like the Ring Road, you’re unlikely to experience any difficulties when driving in the snow in Iceland. During the winter, all of our rental cars are fitted with snow tires, and if you want to be extra cautious, you can always choose to hire a 4x4.