Iceland Weather
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What to wear in Iceland today

Today in Reykjavík: 3 to 6 °C (37 to 43 °F) with wind up to 4.9 m/s (11 mph), so it feels like 1 °C (34 °F). What to wear: wool sweater or fleece, windproof shell, a hat, sturdy waterproof shoes and sunglasses. Around the country it feels as cold as -8 °C (18 °F) in Hveravellir and as mild as 3 °C (37 °F) in Þórshöfn.

Daily forecast via Open-Meteo, dressed the way Icelanders dress

Today, town by town

Judged on each day's middle temperature in its strongest wind — the Icelandic way to dress.

Day

How Icelanders dress

Five layers of thinking, whatever the season.

  • Base layerWool (merino) or synthetic next to the skin, top and leggings. Never cotton: it holds sweat and rain and stops insulating.
  • Warm layerA lopapeysa, the Icelandic wool sweater, or a fleece. Wool stays warm even when damp. Add an insulated jacket in winter.
  • ShellA jacket that stops wind as well as rain, with a hood that cinches down. The one thing Icelanders never leave home without.
  • Head and handsA warm hat, gloves or mittens, and a buff to pull over your face in the wind. Even in summer, for evenings and boat trips.
  • FeetWaterproof boots with a grippy sole and wool socks; ice cleats when the paths freeze.

Packing for a trip?

Today's forecast is one day. For a trip, pack for what the month usually brings: the wind, the wet days and the daylight.

Questions visitors ask

What should I wear in Iceland today?

Today in Reykjavík: 3 to 6 °C (37 to 43 °F) with wind up to 4.9 m/s (11 mph), so it feels like 1 °C (34 °F). What to wear: wool sweater or fleece, windproof shell, a hat, sturdy waterproof shoes and sunglasses. Around the country it feels as cold as -8 °C (18 °F) in Hveravellir and as mild as 3 °C (37 °F) in Þórshöfn. Forecast for 20 October 2026; check again before you set off, because Iceland's weather turns fast.

What do Icelanders wear?

Layers built for wind and wet: a wool or synthetic base layer, a lopapeysa (Icelandic wool sweater) or fleece, and a hooded jacket that stops both wind and rain. Waterproof boots with grip, a hat, and ice cleats in winter. Never an umbrella.

What should you not wear in Iceland?

Cotton as your warm layer, jeans as your only trousers, trainers or sandals as your only shoes, and an umbrella. Cotton and denim stay cold once wet, mesh shoes soak through, and the wind wrecks umbrellas.

Do I need a winter coat in Iceland?

From November to March, an insulated jacket under a waterproof shell — or a waterproof winter parka — is right for most days. From May to September a fleece or wool sweater under a windproof shell is warmer than any coat in Iceland's wind and rain.

Forecasts change, and Iceland's weather changes fast. Before you set off, check the latest forecast and warnings on Iceland Weather or vedur.is, the roads on umferdin.is and travel alerts on safetravel.is. In an emergency, call 112.