Iceland Reykjavik Weather in January — Climate Guide
January in Reykjavik is moderate
January is moderate for Reykjavik.
Peak Northern Lights month + ice caves + winter Blue Lagoon atmosphere. Daylight only 5h (sunrise 11:00, sunset 16:00) so you operate on a tight midday window. Storms close South Coast roads 2-3 days per week — book flexible itineraries and pad days for weather. Self-driving rentals carry real risk in January; many travelers switch to guided tours.
Travel score
Aurora peak month + only 5 hours of daylight
January Weather at a Glance
January in Reykjavik averages 36°F / 2°C highs and 27°F / -3°C lows with 13 rainy/snowy days and 75mm precipitation. Sunshine hours: 1. Daylight only 5 hours (sunrise 11:00, sunset 16:00) — the darkest month of the year. Storms (winds 70+ km/h gusts) close roads multiple times. Sea temperature 5°C makes any swimming impossible. The compensation: peak Aurora season, ice caves open, and the iconic snow-blanketed lava-field views.
January Travel Advice
Book Northern Lights tours with free re-try guarantees (Reykjavik Excursions, Gray Line, GetYourGuide $80-100) — 3-4 attempts often needed. Pre-book Blue Lagoon Premium 2-3 months ahead. Ice cave tours sell out 1+ month ahead ($200-300, Vatnajökull). Avoid self-driving to South Coast in January — use guided 2-day tours instead ($300-450). Reserve the midday 12:00-15:00 window for outdoor sightseeing.
Flying In from Overseas
Winter Aurora season pulls Asian (Korea, Japan, Singapore, China), European (UK, Germany, France), and US (NYC, Boston) tourists. Direct flights Icelandair: NYC-KEF 5h45 ($300-600 off-peak), London-KEF 3h ($200-400), Frankfurt-KEF 3h30 ($350-600). From Seoul: via Helsinki/Frankfurt + Icelandair 16-22h, $1,500-2,500. Iceland Aurora is bucket-list winter destination — visitor numbers steady January.
January Pricing Trends
Off-peak after NYE: Reykjavik 4-star $200-400/night, Hotel Borg luxury $400-800. Blue Lagoon Comfort $103 / Premium $145. Ice cave tour $200-300. Northern Lights bus tour $80-100. Rental car (4x4 required for South Coast) $100-150/day + winter insurance. Cheapest flights of the year arrive late January.
Reykjavik January Weather Stats
Avg High
2°C
Avg Low
-3°C
Rainy Days
13
75mm total
Sunshine
1h
Daily avg
Humidity
80%
humid
UV Index
0
Low
Wind
25 km/h
Gusts 70
Sea Temp
5°C
no swimming
Crowds
Moderate
At attractions
January Sunrise & Sunset
Air Quality
PM2.5
10 μg/m³
PM10
18 μg/m³
Status
good
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
-3°C
Nighttime
-10°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
25 km/h
Max gust 70 km/h
Activities Recommended for January
January Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Peak Northern Lights season (KP 3+ nights frequent)
- Ice cave tours in Vatnajökull (winter-only, mid-Nov to mid-Mar)
- Winter Blue Lagoon atmosphere with steam rising into snow
- Lowest crowds outside Christmas + NYE weeks
- Cheapest air fares after NYE peak
Cons
- 2/-3°C bitter cold + wind chill regularly -10°C
- Only 5h daylight forces tight scheduling
- Storms close roads 8-12 days/month
- Aurora requires clear sky + KP 3+ — 30-40% nightly hit rate
- Self-drive risky on icy roads
January Events & Festivals
- New Year fireworks afterglow at Hallgrímskirkja (early Jan, leftover NYE rockets)
- Þrettándinn (Twelfth Night, Jan 6 — last night of Yule with bonfires + elf parades)
- Þorrablót season begins late month (mid-winter feast — hákarl, ram testicles, Brennivín)
Reykjavik in January — Full Picture
Peak Northern Lights month + ice caves + winter Blue Lagoon atmosphere. Daylight only 5h (sunrise 11:00, sunset 16:00) so you operate on a tight midday window. Storms close South Coast roads 2-3 days per week — book flexible itineraries and pad days for weather. Self-driving rentals carry real risk in January; many travelers switch to guided tours.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Bitter wind + dark + wet. Heavy down coat (700+ fill), waterproof + windproof outer shell, thermal merino base layer, mid-fleece, scarf, waterproof boots with grip soles, insulated gloves, and a wool beanie covering the ears. Microspikes for icy sidewalks ($25 at outdoor shops) are not optional — falls send dozens of tourists to hospital each January.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
6.7°C
1.3°C
12/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
13.7°C
8°C
10.3/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
7.3°C
2.7°C
13/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current2.3°C
-2.7°C
13/mo
Reykjavik Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2° | -3° | 13d·75mm | 1h | 80% | 0 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 3° | -2° | 12d·70mm | 2h | 79% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 4° | -1° | 13d·80mm | 4h | 78% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 6° | 1° | 12d·60mm | 5h | 75% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| May (Best) | 10° | 4° | 11d·50mm | 6h | 73% | 3 | Busy | Peak |
| June (Best) | 13° | 7° | 10d·50mm | 7h | 73% | 4 | Very busy | Peak |
| July (Best) | 14° | 9° | 10d·50mm | 6h | 75% | 4 | Very busy | Peak |
| August (Best) | 14° | 8° | 11d·60mm | 5h | 78% | 3 | Very busy | Peak |
| September (Best) | 11° | 6° | 13d·70mm | 4h | 79% | 2 | Busy | Peak |
| 7° | 3° | 13d·75mm | 3h | 80% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 4° | -1° | 13d·80mm | 1h | 81% | 1 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| December (Best) | 2° | -3° | 14d·80mm | 0h | 82% | 0 | Very busy | Peak |
View Other Months
Reykjavik January Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is January a good time to visit Reykjavik?
Reykjavik in January is moderate. Tourist crowds are moderate and flight/hotel prices are shoulder.
What's the average temperature in Reykjavik in January?
Reykjavik January averages a high of 2°C and a low of -3°C.
Does it rain much in Reykjavik in January?
Reykjavik January averages 75mm of rainfall over about 13 rainy days.
What should I wear in Reykjavik in January?
Bitter wind + dark + wet. Heavy down coat (700+ fill), waterproof + windproof outer shell, thermal merino base layer, mid-fleece, scarf, waterproof boots with grip soles, insulated gloves, and a wool beanie covering the ears. Microspikes for icy sidewalks ($25 at outdoor shops) are not optional — falls send dozens of tourists to hospital each January.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Reykjavik in January?
Reykjavik January sunrise is 11:00 and sunset is 16:00, with 5h of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Reykjavik in January?
Reykjavik January air quality (AQI) averages 30, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 10μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Reykjavik in January?
In January, Reykjavik is great for Northern Lights tours (8 PM-1 AM), Ice cave tours (Vatnajökull, $200-300), Blue Lagoon winter atmosphere.
Is January peak season in Reykjavik?
Reykjavik January crowds are moderate and prices are shoulder. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Reykjavik
View Other Months
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.