Weather in Iceland in May
May 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 May 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, May sits in the middle of Iceland's year.
- Average temp
- 7°C
3–10°C
- Rainfall
- 23 mm
Not much rain
- Sunshine
- 5.6 h
hours per day
What to expect
Daytime
Days in Iceland in May 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
May is on the drier side of the year in Iceland. Showers are possible. They do not define the month.
A shell that lives in the bag is enough. This is not October, and it should not be packed as if it were.
Evening
Evenings are cooler. A layer helps after sunset.
What to pack
A layer for cooler evenings
Where to stay in Iceland
Featured stays on trip1. Dates are a starting point for May.
Travel guides for Iceland
What to read before you book.
Average weather in Iceland
TemperatureRainfall
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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.
