Weather in Iceland in November
What November is like
November darkens fast, from about eight hours of daylight to five. It's stormy and changeable — rain one day, snow the next — and the wind is the main event. Reykjavík comes alive indoors: concerts, festivals and warm pools under the dark sky.
A properly windproof shell over warm layers, and a headlamp if you'll be out walking in the short afternoons.
- Warmest
- 12.9°
- 12 November 2024
- Coldest
- -15.1°
- 19 November 2004
Icelandic Met Office measurements since 1949
Typical in Reykjavík
Measured by the Icelandic Met Office, 1991–2020
- Typical high
- 5°
- Typical low
- 0°
- Feels like (avg)
- -2°
- Average wind
- 5 m/s
- Days with rain or snow
- 14
- Precipitation
- 86 mm
- Days with snow or sleet
- 9
- Days with gales (over 17 m/s)
- 1
- Sunshine
- 40 hours
- Daylight
- 7 h 58 min → 5 h 5 min
- Sunrise / Sunset (15.)
- 09:57 – 16:26
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 | 0°5° | 14 | 9 | 86 mm | 5 m/s | 1 |
| Keflavík (Airport) | 0°5° | 15 | 11 | 105 mm | 8 m/s | 6 |
| Vík Vatnsskarðshólar · 9 km | 1°6° | 17 | 8 | 175 mm | 7 m/s | 8 |
| Akureyri | -2°4° | 11 | 13 | 68 mm | 4 m/s | 1 |
| Höfn Hólar í Hornafirði · 5 km | 0°5° | 14 | 4 | 174 mm | 6 m/s | 4 |
| Egilsstaðir | -3°4° | 11 | 7 | 73 mm | 5 m/s | 1 |
| Selfoss Eyrarbakki · 11 km | -1°4° | 17 | 7 | 140 mm | 7 m/s | 4 |
| Ísafjörður 1998–2020 | -2°4° | 16 | 13 | 117 mm | 5 m/s | 1 |
| Þingvellir 1996–2020 | -4°4° | 13 | – | 111 mm | 4 m/s | 2 |
| Jökulsárlón Fagurhólsmýri · 30 km | 0°6° | 15 | 6 | 184 mm | 8 m/s | 8 |
| Mývatn Reykjahlíð · 6 km | -5°1° | 11 | 12 | 54 mm | 4 m/s | 3 |
| Vestmannaeyjar Stórhöfði · 5 km | 2°5° | 17 | 9 | 164 mm | 12 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
- Sturdy, waterproof shoes
- Sunglasses
Questions visitors ask
What is the weather like in Iceland in November?
In Reykjavík the average temperature is 2.2 °C, usually between 0 and 5 °C. Expect rain or snow on about 14 days (around 86 mm), with snow or sleet on about 9 of them. The average wind is 4.8 m/s and gales blow on about 1 days; in the wind it feels closer to -2 °C. These are the Icelandic Met Office's measurements for 1991–2020.
How cold does it get in Iceland in November?
On a typical November day Reykjavík sees 0 to 5 °C. The warmest November temperature the Icelandic Met Office has measured there since 1949 is 12.9 °C (12 November 2024), the coldest -15.1 °C (19 November 2004).
How many hours of daylight does Iceland get in November?
Reykjavík has 7 h 58 min of daylight at the start of November and 5 h 5 min by the end.
Can you see the northern lights in Iceland in November?
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 November?
For a typical day: wool sweater, waterproof shell, warm hat, gloves, sturdy, waterproof shoes, sunglasses. Skip the umbrella — the wind makes it useless.