Weather in Iceland in September
What September is like
September brings autumn colour, the first proper autumn storms and the return of the aurora season, with long enough nights and the equinox boost in activity. Days shrink from about fourteen hours to under twelve. Highland roads close as the month goes on.
Waterproofs top and bottom: September is one of the wettest months in the south and west.
- Warmest
- 18.5°
- 10 September 1968
- Coldest
- -4.4°
- 24 September 1974
Icelandic Met Office measurements since 1949
Typical in Reykjavík
Measured by the Icelandic Met Office, 1991–2020
- Typical high
- 11°
- Typical low
- 6°
- Feels like (avg)
- 6°
- Average wind
- 4 m/s
- Days with rain or snow
- 15
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Days with snow or sleet
- 1
- Days with gales (over 17 m/s)
- 0
- Sunshine
- 118 hours
- Daylight
- 14 h 32 min → 11 h 25 min
- Sunrise / Sunset (15.)
- 06:51 – 19:52
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 | 6°11° | 15 | 1 | 87 mm | 4 m/s | 0 |
| Keflavík (Airport) | 7°11° | 16 | 1 | 121 mm | 7 m/s | 3 |
| Vík Vatnsskarðshólar · 9 km | 7°11° | 18 | 1 | 188 mm | 6 m/s | 4 |
| Akureyri | 5°12° | 9 | 1 | 53 mm | 3 m/s | 0 |
| Höfn Hólar í Hornafirði · 5 km | 6°11° | 14 | 0 | 171 mm | 5 m/s | 2 |
| Egilsstaðir | 4°12° | 10 | 1 | 60 mm | 5 m/s | 0 |
| Selfoss Eyrarbakki · 11 km | 6°12° | 18 | 1 | 151 mm | 7 m/s | 2 |
| Ísafjörður 1998–2020 | 4°10° | 13 | 2 | 97 mm | 3 m/s | 0 |
| Þingvellir 1996–2020 | 3°12° | 17 | – | 144 mm | 4 m/s | 1 |
| Jökulsárlón Fagurhólsmýri · 30 km | 6°12° | 16 | 0 | 190 mm | 7 m/s | 5 |
| Mývatn Reykjahlíð · 6 km | 4°10° | 10 | 3 | 54 mm | 4 m/s | 2 |
| Vestmannaeyjar Stórhöfði · 5 km | 7°10° | 19 | 1 | 179 mm | 10 m/s | 14 |
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 September?
In Reykjavík the average temperature is 8.5 °C, usually between 6 and 11 °C. Expect rain or snow on about 15 days (around 87 mm). The average wind is 4.4 m/s; in the wind it feels closer to 6 °C. These are the Icelandic Met Office's measurements for 1991–2020.
How warm does it get in Iceland in September?
On a typical September day Reykjavík sees 6 to 11 °C. The warmest September temperature the Icelandic Met Office has measured there since 1949 is 18.5 °C (10 September 1968), the coldest -4.4 °C (24 September 1974).
How many hours of daylight does Iceland get in September?
Reykjavík has 14 h 32 min of daylight at the start of September and 11 h 25 min by the end.
Can you see the northern lights in Iceland in September?
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 September?
For a typical day: wool sweater or fleece, waterproof shell, a hat, sturdy, waterproof shoes, sunglasses. Skip the umbrella — the wind makes it useless.