Reykjavik · WinterMonth summary
Reykjavik weather in January
❌ Poor
🌡️ Temperature min / max
28°F – 36°F
🌧 Rainy days
59% of days
☀️ Sunshine
0.1h per day on average
🌊 🌊 Season
Winter
⭐ ⭐ Weather score
0.5/10
📅 📅 Best month
July (4.7/10)
Quick decision
Should you visit Reykjavik in January?
❌ Poor
✅ Yes if: you enjoy winter atmosphere and the lowest prices of the year.
❌ No if: you're looking for sunshine or outdoor activities.
Our take: January brings a challenging climate (0.5/10). July offers milder conditions if your dates are flexible.
By trip type
Reykjavik in January by trip type
- 🏙️ 🏙️ City break / culture : ⚠️ Possible
- 🚶 🚶 Outdoor activities : ❌ Not recommended
- 🏖️ Beach / swimming : ❌ Not recommended
- 💰 💰 Budget : ✅ Low season
Local context
What to expect in January
Winter in Reykjavik is cool (2°F during the day). Days are short (0.1h of sunshine) but the city reveals a different side. With 59% of rainy days, always have indoor alternatives planned.
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Annual table
Month-by-month comparison
| Month | Min °F | Max °F | Rain % | Precip in | Sun h/d | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌨️ January | 28°F | 36°F | 59% | 0.2in | 0.1h | 0.5/10 |
| 🌨️ February | 28°F | 37°F | 63% | 0.2in | 2.6h | 0.7/10 |
| 🌨️ March | 30°F | 39°F | 53% | 0.2in | 6.3h | 2.1/10 |
| 🌦️ April | 36°F | 45°F | 54% | 0.2in | 7.6h | 3.1/10 |
| 🌦️ May | 39°F | 48°F | 60% | 0.2in | 9.4h | 4.0/10 |
| 🌦️ June | 45°F | 52°F | 53% | 0.1in | 8.6h | 4.2/10 |
| 🌦️ July | 48°F | 55°F | 51% | 0.1in | 8.9h | 4.7/10 |
| 🌦️ August | 48°F | 55°F | 46% | 0.1in | 8.5h | 4.7/10 |
| 🌦️ September | 43°F | 52°F | 60% | 0.2in | 6.4h | 3.3/10 |
| 🌦️ October | 37°F | 45°F | 58% | 0.2in | 4.0h | 1.4/10 |
| 🌨️ November | 34°F | 39°F | 50% | 0.2in | 1.0h | 0.9/10 |
| 🌨️ December | 28°F | 37°F | 57% | 0.2in | 0.0h | 0.6/10 |
Ideal
Fair
Challenging climate
◀ Current month · Source Open-Meteo · 10 years
📊 Data source
Data based on 10 years of ERA5 records via Open-Meteo, with ECMWF seasonal adjustment. In January, Reykjavik averages 36°F, 59% rainy days and 0.1h of sunshine per day. Overall weather score: 0.5/10.
See methodology →
Comparison
January vs July (best month)
The best month is July (score 4.7/10). Difference:
- 🌡️ Max temperature : +11°F
- 🌧 Rainy days : -8%
- ☀️ Sunshine : +8.8h/day
FAQ
FAQ — Reykjavik in January
Is January a good time to visit Reykjavik?
January is not recommended for Reykjavik (score 0.5/10). With 59% rainy days and 0.1h of sunshine, consider July (4.7/10) instead.
Does it rain a lot in Reykjavik in January?
Yes, 59% of days see rain in January. Plan some indoor activities as backup.
Accommodation
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Activities & tours
Activities and tours in Reykjavik
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