Is the weather good in Iceland in January 2025?
For the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in Iceland during January have been around +36°F.
In Iceland the temperature rarely varies more than seven degrees between the different parts with the highest temperature +36°F in Reykjavik to +36°F in Reykjavik. So you should be able to pack for similar conditions wherever you go in the country.
Temperature, wind and humidity in January
- rainiest? Reykjavik, with an average of 2 mm of rain and humidity of 78%;
- warmest? Reykjavik, with daytime temperatures averaging +36°F;
- windiest? Reykjavik, with an average of 5 m/s;
- coolest? Reykjavik, with daytime temperatures averaging +36°F;
How good is the weather in Iceland in January?
How warm is it in Iceland during January?
This is how hot it usually is in January
- Average maximum temperature for the month: +36°F;
- Average minimum temperature for the month: +27°F;
- Highest monthly temperature: +37°F;
- Lowest monthly temperature: +25°F;
Monthly temperatures:
- Warmest: July with an average +57°F during the day;
- Coldest: January with an average +36°F of the day;
- Hottest month in hottest city: July in Reykjavik;
- Coldest month in coolest city: January in Reykjavik;
Winds in Iceland during January
January tends to offer moderate winds averaging 5 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience extra breeze during mornings and afternoons.
Comparison between cities in January:
- Highest average wind speed: Reykjavik with 4 m/s;
- Lowest average wind speed: Reykjavik with 4 m/s;
- Windiest day of the month: Reykjavik with 6 m/s;
- The least windy day of the month: Reykjavik with 4 m/s;
Humidity and precipitation in Iceland in January
Comparison between cities in January:
- Highest average rainfall: Reykjavik with 71 mm;
- Lowest average rainfall: Reykjavik with 71 mm;
- Most number of rainy days: Reykjavik with 7 rainy days;
- Least number of rainy days: Reykjavik with 7 rainy days;
- Highest risk of rain during the day: Reykjavik with 23%;
- Least risk of rain during the day: Reykjavik with 23%;
- Highest average humidity: Reykjavik with 78%;
- Lowest average humidity: Reykjavik with 78%;
Snow
Comparison between cities in January:
- Highest average snowfall: Reykjavik with 29 mm;
- Lowest average snowfall: Reykjavik with 29 mm;
- Most number of snowy days: Reykjavik with 13 snowy days;
- Least number of snowy days: Reykjavik with 13 snowy days;
- Highest chance of snow during the day: Reykjavik with 42%;
- Least chance of snow during the day: Reykjavik with 42%;
Tips for traveling to Iceland in January
Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for Iceland? Activities, weather, and clothing are closely linked. In addition, it's important to pack only what you really need so you don't have to worry about heavy packing or paying extra baggage fees.
Here is some advice on what to pack and what kind of activities you can do in the Iceland based on the weather that January is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.
Pack right for January
- For light showers, an umbrella or a thin and light rain cape is usually sufficient, while more rain may require rainwear and rain boots.
- When it’s cold you need warm clothes such as a hat, gloves and scarf. If you plan on varied activities it might be a good idea to pack flexible clothing and wear multiple layers, as you can then easily adapt and regulate the temperature. For example you may want to wear cotton closest to the body, covered by a waterproof layer of wool or synthetics and then some warm layer of for example wool, fleece or down.
- Light winds are probably most comfortable in hot weather but is cooling in cool and cold weather. If it is hot (when the air temperature is about 30 degrees), the wind can have a warming effect. A thin, windproof jacket and long trousers help to counteract these effects.
- High humidity means that the air conducts heat to and from the skin more easily. For example, if the air is hot (above skin temperature), it will be harder to stay cool. On the other hand, if the air is cool or cold, it is more difficult to stay warm. In high humidity, the choice of clothing makes less of a difference. However, your physical activity plays a bigger role.
FAQ
What can you do outside when it's warm in Iceland?
Is January a good time to visit Iceland?
Monthly weather in Iceland
Source of the data
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in Iceland, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2023.
For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.