Weather in Iceland in August
What August is like
August is still summer, a touch wetter than July, with the first real nights returning in the second half. Late in the month the first auroras of the season appear on clear nights. Hiking season is at its best, and berry-picking begins.
Bring a hat and gloves for evenings in the highlands — nights below freezing are common up there.
- Warmest
- 24.8°
- 11 August 2004
- Coldest
- -0.4°
- 27 August 1956
Icelandic Met Office measurements since 1949
Typical in Reykjavík
Measured by the Icelandic Met Office, 1991–2020
- Typical high
- 14°
- Typical low
- 9°
- Feels like (avg)
- 11°
- Average wind
- 4 m/s
- Days with rain or snow
- 12
- Precipitation
- 64 mm
- Days with snow or sleet
- 0
- Days with gales (over 17 m/s)
- 0
- Sunshine
- 165 hours
- Daylight
- 17 h 55 min → 14 h 38 min
- Sunrise / Sunset (15.)
- 05:19 – 21:42
Around the country
Averages measured by the Icelandic Met Office, 1991–2020 unless noted
| Place | Typical low – Typical high | Days with rain or snow | Snow days | Precipitation | Average wind | Gale days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Reykjavík | 9°14° | 12 | 0 | 64 mm | 4 m/s | 0 |
| Keflavík (Airport) | 9°14° | 13 | 0 | 88 mm | 6 m/s | 1 |
| Vík Vatnsskarðshólar · 9 km | 9°14° | 14 | 0 | 140 mm | 5 m/s | 2 |
| Akureyri | 8°15° | 8 | 0 | 41 mm | 3 m/s | 0 |
| Höfn Hólar í Hornafirði · 5 km | 8°13° | 12 | 0 | 114 mm | 3 m/s | 1 |
| Egilsstaðir | 6°15° | 8 | 0 | 43 mm | 4 m/s | 0 |
| Selfoss Eyrarbakki · 11 km | 8°14° | 14 | 0 | 113 mm | 6 m/s | 0 |
| Ísafjörður 1998–2020 | 7°13° | 10 | 0 | 60 mm | 3 m/s | 0 |
| Þingvellir 1996–2020 | 6°15° | 13 | – | 89 mm | 4 m/s | 1 |
| Jökulsárlón Fagurhólsmýri · 30 km | 8°14° | 15 | 0 | 161 mm | 6 m/s | 3 |
| Mývatn Reykjahlíð · 6 km | 6°14° | 9 | 0 | 41 mm | 3 m/s | 0 |
| Vestmannaeyjar Stórhöfði · 5 km | 9°12° | 15 | 0 | 129 mm | 8 m/s | 8 |
Daylight through the year
Hours of daylight in Reykjavík; this month highlighted
What to pack
For a typical day out, judged on the average feels-like and wind
- A light jumper
- Waterproof shell
- Sturdy, waterproof shoes
- Sunglasses
Questions visitors ask
What is the weather like in Iceland in August?
In Reykjavík the average temperature is 11 °C, usually between 9 and 14 °C. Expect rain or snow on about 12 days (around 64 mm). The average wind is 3.7 m/s; in the wind it feels closer to 11 °C. These are the Icelandic Met Office's measurements for 1991–2020.
How warm does it get in Iceland in August?
On a typical August day Reykjavík sees 9 to 14 °C. The warmest August temperature the Icelandic Met Office has measured there since 1949 is 24.8 °C (11 August 2004), the coldest -0.4 °C (27 August 1956).
How many hours of daylight does Iceland get in August?
Reykjavík has 17 h 55 min of daylight at the start of August and 14 h 38 min by the end.
Can you see the northern lights in Iceland in August?
No — the nights are too bright. Aurora season runs from late August to mid-April.
What should I pack for Iceland in August?
For a typical day: a light jumper, waterproof shell, sturdy, waterproof shoes, sunglasses. Skip the umbrella — the wind makes it useless.