Weather in Iceland in October
What October is like
October is when autumn turns serious. Lows arrive more often and stronger, the first snow settles in the north and on the mountain passes, and the day loses almost seven minutes every day. It's one of the best aurora months: long dark nights before the deepest winter.
Check the mountain passes before any long drive — Holtavörðuheiði and Öxnadalsheiði can turn icy overnight.
- Warmest
- 15.7°
- 1 October 1958
- Coldest
- -10.6°
- 27 October 1970
Icelandic Met Office measurements since 1949
Typical in Reykjavík
Measured by the Icelandic Met Office, 1991–2020
- Typical high
- 8°
- Typical low
- 3°
- Feels like (avg)
- 1°
- Average wind
- 4 m/s
- Days with rain or snow
- 13
- Precipitation
- 80 mm
- Days with snow or sleet
- 4
- Days with gales (over 17 m/s)
- 1
- Sunshine
- 92 hours
- Daylight
- 11 h 19 min → 8 h 5 min
- Sunrise / Sunset (15.)
- 08:18 – 18:06
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 | 3°8° | 13 | 4 | 80 mm | 4 m/s | 1 |
| Keflavík (Airport) | 3°8° | 15 | 5 | 112 mm | 7 m/s | 4 |
| Vík Vatnsskarðshólar · 9 km | 3°8° | 17 | 3 | 168 mm | 7 m/s | 6 |
| Akureyri | 1°7° | 12 | 8 | 74 mm | 3 m/s | 0 |
| Höfn Hólar í Hornafirði · 5 km | 3°7° | 14 | 1 | 189 mm | 5 m/s | 3 |
| Egilsstaðir | 0°7° | 13 | 5 | 85 mm | 5 m/s | 1 |
| Selfoss Eyrarbakki · 11 km | 2°7° | 16 | 4 | 151 mm | 7 m/s | 3 |
| Ísafjörður 1998–2020 | 1°6° | 16 | 9 | 122 mm | 4 m/s | 1 |
| Þingvellir 1996–2020 | 0°7° | 14 | – | 119 mm | 4 m/s | 2 |
| Jökulsárlón Fagurhólsmýri · 30 km | 3°8° | 15 | 1 | 197 mm | 7 m/s | 7 |
| Mývatn Reykjahlíð · 6 km | -1°4° | 10 | 9 | 50 mm | 4 m/s | 2 |
| Vestmannaeyjar Stórhöfði · 5 km | 4°7° | 16 | 4 | 156 mm | 11 m/s | 16 |
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 or fleece
- Waterproof shell
- A hat
- Sturdy, waterproof shoes
- Sunglasses
Questions visitors ask
What is the weather like in Iceland in October?
In Reykjavík the average temperature is 4.9 °C, usually between 3 and 8 °C. Expect rain or snow on about 13 days (around 80 mm), with snow or sleet on about 4 of them. The average wind is 4.4 m/s; in the wind it feels closer to 1 °C. These are the Icelandic Met Office's measurements for 1991–2020.
How cold does it get in Iceland in October?
On a typical October day Reykjavík sees 3 to 8 °C. The warmest October temperature the Icelandic Met Office has measured there since 1949 is 15.7 °C (1 October 1958), the coldest -10.6 °C (27 October 1970).
How many hours of daylight does Iceland get in October?
Reykjavík has 11 h 19 min of daylight at the start of October and 8 h 5 min by the end.
Can you see the northern lights in Iceland in October?
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 October?
For a typical day: wool sweater or fleece, waterproof shell, a hat, sturdy, waterproof shoes, sunglasses. Skip the umbrella — the wind makes it useless.