Winter in Iceland

When is Winter in Iceland?

Iceland is cold everyday but wintry cold temps and snow can be experienced everywhere in the country from November through March. In more Northern parts of the country, winter weather is usually from mid-October to mid-April. Spring and Fall last for only a few weeks and Summer is from June thru July. 

Daylight

At the beginning of November, there are roughly 8 hours between sunrise and sunset. The days get dramatically shorter until winter solstice (December 21 or 22) with only 4 hours of daylight. Cities further north like Akureyri and Ísafjörður, have even shorter days. However, by the end of March, we’re back to longer days with more than 13 hours of sunshine. When planning your winter trip to Iceland consider using roughly 30 - 45 minutes before official sunrise and after official sunset as reasonable sightseeing time.

Weather

Some of the most challenging weather Iceland has to offer occurs in winter but you’ll also find the countryside covered in the most beautiful blanket of white snow. Temperatures from November - March dip only slightly below freezing but get no warmer than about 4°C (38°F). Be careful of the wind though - near constant wind makes it feel so much colder. While traveling, check the weather forecast at vedur.is.

Driving

Just like weather conditions, driving conditions can be very challenging during Iceland winters. You will encounter snowy, icy, and slippery roads and some roads may be closed. Since the weather and road conditions can change unexpectedly, it’s important to check road.is every morning and throughout the day when traveling. If roads are closed and you can’t make it to your next destination, try waiting it out. Storms and closures don’t usually last long. Knowing your accommodation’s cancellation policy and purchasing travel insurance will be helpful in avoiding unexpected costs related to weather and road conditions.

Car Rental

As a self-driving traveler, winter is not the time to rent a cheap car. I highly recommend renting a 4wd vehicle from Blue Car Rental or a well-equipped, photogenic 4x4 Super Jeep from ISAK (use code ‘gunnar’ for 10% off). All vehicles on the road are required to have studded tires in the winter which helps greatly on snowy, icy, and slippery roads.

Renting a campervan is also possible and again, a 4x4 is essential for safety. However, campervan drivers should be familiar with cold-weather camping, will need to have appropriate gear and supplies, and have a plan as more than half of Iceland’s campsites are closed in the winter. In addition, campervans are more susceptible to being blown over. Knowing the wind speeds in your area is vital. You can check wind speeds here.

General Travel Information

One of the best tools to use when determining travel conditions in your area is this alert map. It will give you an overview of what to expect with weather, wind, and more in each region.

Safetravel.is is also great resource when preparing for your winter travels in Iceland. You can find more driving tips, submit your travel plan in case of an emergency, and see general travel warnings throughout the country.

Northern Lights

Seeing the Northern Lights is one of the best reasons to visit Iceland during winter! The Northern Lights are a naturally occurring phenomena and can usually be seen under the following conditions:

• Clear skies, free of clouds

• High KP index (3 or above is good)

• Little to no light pollution

One of the best ways to see the Northern Lights is by going on a tour with Icelandic Roamers! They will hunt for the lights, and safely drive you from Reykjavik to a photogenic location where they are shining. Included in all of Icelandic Roamers’s tours is a professional photographer so that you can spend your time enjoying the scenery while someone else captures the memory forever. Book a tour with Icelandic Roamers and receive a 10% discount with code ‘GUNNAR10’.

There is no specific location in Iceland where it is more likely to see the Northern Lights - as long as the three conditions above are happening, you can usually see the Aurora from wherever you are. Regardless of where you are each night, check the cloud forecast and KP index here. Consider downloading one of the many apps for Northern Lights information (My Aurora Forecast, Glendale) and follow @emerald_skies_of_iceland on Instagram for nightly comments.

If you are hunting for the Northern Lights yourself, here are my tips for photographing them.

Where to Go

Experiencing Iceland looks different in Iceland every season. In general, winter trips to Iceland are focused on Reykjavik, the South Coast, Golden Circle, and sometimes the Snæfellsnes Peninsula. These regions are closest to Reykjavik but are full of amazing natural beauty. When unsavory weather or road closures occur, it’s easier to adapt travel plans when you are close to the city. And, indoor activities are abundant in Reykjavik. Plan to visit museums, enjoy leisurely meals, and relax in hot springs and local pools to help pass the time when the weather is awful or the darkness prevents you from exploring. 

The Ring Road (Road 1 which circumnavigates the main landmass of Iceland) is open year-round and the East and North regions offer some beautiful wintry landscapes. However, driving the Ring Road in winter requires substantially more time than it does in summer and prepared travelers will be ready to adapt when weather disrupts their itinerary.

The Westfjords are incredible in winter, bathed in darkness and snow for what seems like forever but traveling there is very challenging. In addition to harsh weather, poor road conditions and closures, many tourist services, like restaurants, tours, and hotels are closed in the winter. I recommend saving a trip to the Westfjords for another season.

Also know that the Highlands (central Iceland) are not accessible to self-driving travelers in the winter. Highland roads are impassable and not serviced from about mid-October through late-June. If you want to visit the Highlands during this time, you will need to take a guided Super Jeep tour. Midgard Adventure offers an awesome day tour to Þórsmörk, an area often missed but truly beautiful, year round! Book with Midgard Adventure and use code ‘GUNNAR’ for 10% off.

What to Bring

Unless you are from a cold and snowy climate elsewhere on Earth, you will likely need to invest in some special gear for your winter trip to Iceland. One of the most helpful items to use while exploring outdoors are crampons/microspikes. They will allow you to walk nearly everywhere safely. Warm, waterproof layers, good boots, hats, gloves, and a scarf are must-haves. Check out my full list of packing recommendations here.