Weather in Iceland in February
What February is like
February is still winter, often the snowiest month in the north, with the same stormy rhythm as January. The difference is the light: days lengthen by around six minutes a day, from about seven hours to over ten. Ski areas in the north are in full swing.
Dress for wind-driven snow: a hood that cinches, waterproof trousers and warm gloves you can still use a phone in.
- Warmest
- 10.2°
- 25 February 2013
- Coldest
- -17.6°
- 7 February 1969
Icelandic Met Office measurements since 1949
Typical in Reykjavík
Measured by the Icelandic Met Office, 1991–2020
- Typical high
- 3°
- Typical low
- -2°
- Feels like (avg)
- -5°
- Average wind
- 6 m/s
- Days with rain or snow
- 15
- Precipitation
- 91 mm
- Days with snow or sleet
- 15
- Days with gales (over 17 m/s)
- 2
- Sunshine
- 62 hours
- Daylight
- 7 h 9 min → 10 h 6 min
- Sunrise / Sunset (15.)
- 09:22 – 18:02
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 | -2°3° | 15 | 15 | 91 mm | 6 m/s | 2 |
| Keflavík (Airport) | -2°3° | 16 | 15 | 105 mm | 8 m/s | 8 |
| Vík Vatnsskarðshólar · 9 km | 0°4° | 18 | 14 | 159 mm | 8 m/s | 9 |
| Akureyri | -4°3° | 10 | 14 | 52 mm | 4 m/s | 1 |
| Höfn Hólar í Hornafirði · 5 km | -1°4° | 14 | 8 | 154 mm | 7 m/s | 4 |
| Egilsstaðir | -5°3° | 9 | 9 | 52 mm | 5 m/s | 3 |
| Selfoss Eyrarbakki · 11 km | -3°3° | 18 | 13 | 141 mm | 8 m/s | 7 |
| Ísafjörður 1998–2020 | -3°3° | 16 | 16 | 118 mm | 5 m/s | 2 |
| Þingvellir 1996–2020 | -6°3° | 14 | – | 114 mm | 5 m/s | 3 |
| Jökulsárlón Fagurhólsmýri · 30 km | -2°4° | 16 | 10 | 165 mm | 8 m/s | 10 |
| Mývatn Reykjahlíð · 6 km | -7°0° | 9 | 11 | 31 mm | 5 m/s | 4 |
| Vestmannaeyjar Stórhöfði · 5 km | 0°4° | 18 | 14 | 149 mm | 13 m/s | 20 |
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
- Wool sweater
- Waterproof shell
- Warm hat
- Gloves
- No umbrella
- Ice cleats
Questions visitors ask
What is the weather like in Iceland in February?
In Reykjavík the average temperature is 0.5 °C, usually between -2 and 3 °C. Expect rain or snow on about 15 days (around 91 mm), with snow or sleet on about 15 of them. The average wind is 5.5 m/s and gales blow on about 2 days; in the wind it feels closer to -5 °C. These are the Icelandic Met Office's measurements for 1991–2020.
How cold does it get in Iceland in February?
On a typical February day Reykjavík sees -2 to 3 °C. The warmest February temperature the Icelandic Met Office has measured there since 1949 is 10.2 °C (25 February 2013), the coldest -17.6 °C (7 February 1969).
How many hours of daylight does Iceland get in February?
Reykjavík has 7 h 9 min of daylight at the start of February and 10 h 6 min by the end.
Can you see the northern lights in Iceland in February?
Yes — the nights are dark enough. You need a clear sky, darkness away from town lights and some solar activity.
What should I pack for Iceland in February?
For a typical day: wool sweater, waterproof shell, warm hat, gloves, ice cleats. Skip the umbrella — the wind makes it useless.