Weather in Iceland in January
January in Iceland is deep winter. Days are short. The outdoor plan is a window in the middle of the day or not at all.
A country pin in January is a warning: one region of Iceland will not match another. Use a city page if you already know where you are going. Compared with July and February, January sits in the middle of Iceland's year.
- Average temp
- 0°C
-3–3°C
- Rainfall
- 61 mm
Showers likely
- Sunshine
- 0.2 h
hours per day
What to expect
Daytime
Days in Iceland in January are about getting between indoor places. The cold is the story. Gloves are not a fashion choice.
A clear spell is for a short walk, then back in. Do not plan a long outdoor day as the default. Night falls early and the cold deepens with it.
Rain
January is a wetter month in Iceland. Showers are part of the deal, not a spoiled surprise.
Waterproof shoes matter more than a rain plan for a beach, especially if a beach is not why you came. Build indoor hours into the afternoon.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What to pack
Rain jacket
A layer for cooler evenings
Where to stay in Iceland
Featured stays on trip1. Dates are a starting point for January.
Travel guides for Iceland
What to read before you book.
Average weather in Iceland
TemperatureRainfall
Similar weather in January
Other destinations whose January averages sit close to this one.
Check another month
This is the month you are reading. Change either side to look at another.
FAQs about Iceland
Climate averages for Iceland, 1991–2020.
The best time to visit Iceland is between April and September, the most comfortable stretch of the year on these averages.
July is the hottest month, with an average around 12°C.
October is the wettest month, with about 78 mm of rain.
No. These are 1991–2020 climate normals from Meteostat, not a live forecast. Actual weather in any given week can differ.
