Last updated: January 18, 2025
The climate of Northwest Iceland is characterized by a polar tundra climate (Köppen-Geiger classification ET), marked by its distinctive seasonal temperature variations. In December, the region experiences frigid minimum temperatures plunging to -22°C (-7°F), while summer months offer a stark contrast with average temperatures reaching 3°C (38°F) and maximum highs of 21°C (71°F) in July. This unique climatic condition reflects the interplay between a harsh winter environment and relatively mild summers, shaping the local ecosystems and influencing seasonal human activities.
In Northwest Iceland, temperature patterns exhibit distinct seasonal trends, with winter months showing the most severe cold. January and February present some of the lowest temperatures, with minimums dropping to -20°C (-4°F), while averages hover around -2°C (29°F). As spring approaches in March and April, temperatures slowly begin to rise, marked by averages reaching 2°C (36°F) in April. The transition into summer brings more significant warmth, with July and August showcasing maximum temperatures of 21°C (71°F) and enjoyable averages of 10°C (50°F). By autumn, temperatures again dip, with September and October experiencing averages of 7°C (45°F) and 4°C (39°F), leading back into the harsh winter months. This cyclical pattern underscores the region's polar tundra climate, characterized by cold winters and mild, brief summers.
Hvammstangi experiences a minimum temperature of -12°C (11°F) in February and a maximum of 19°C (66°F) in August, while Saudarkrokur records a colder minimum of -22°C (-7°F) in December and a warm maximum of 21°C (71°F) in July. Bloenduos has a minimum temperature of -15°C (5°F) in December and reaches a maximum of 20°C (68°F) in August. For more detailed monthly temperatures, visit monthly temperatures in Hvammstangi, monthly temperatures in Saudarkrokur, and monthly temperatures in Bloenduos.
Northwest Iceland experiences a notable variation in precipitation throughout the year, with the winter months of January to March receiving substantial rainfall. January and February lead with approximately 88 mm (3.5 in) and 87 mm (3.4 in), respectively, while March sees a slight decrease to 81 mm (3.2 in) over about 16 rainy days each month. As spring progresses into April and May, precipitation diminishes to 72 mm (2.8 in) and 61 mm (2.4 in), reflecting a trend towards drier conditions, yet these months maintain a similar number of rainy days.
As summer unfolds, rainfall remains steady with 81 mm (3.2 in) recorded in both July and August, and precipitation levels slightly fluctuating without dramatic changes in frequency. However, the onset of autumn brings a significant increase in rainfall, especially in September, where 169 mm (6.7 in) falls over 20 days, marking a shift towards the wetter season. October and December follow suit, featuring approximately 109 mm (4.3 in) and 105 mm (4.1 in) of precipitation, respectively, with multiple rainy days indicating a return to the wetter climate characteristic of the region.
In Northwest Iceland, sunshine duration exhibits significant seasonal fluctuations, with a marked increase from the depths of winter to the brightness of summer. January offers a mere 16 hours of sunshine, which barely hints at the vibrant days to come. As February fades into spring, a dramatic leap to 60 hours occurs, followed by a further escalation to 154 hours in March. The momentum builds through April, with sunshine hours reaching 220, culminating in May, the sunniest month, where residents bask in a generous 283 hours of daylight.
As summer settles in, June and July maintain robust sunshine levels, with 243 hours and 233 hours, respectively, before a gradual decline begins. The waning days of summer lead to a noticeable drop in hours, with August bringing 206 hours and September further reducing to 135 hours. By October, the days grow noticeably shorter with only 77 hours, and the bleakness of November and December ensues, yielding 27 hours and a scant 6 hours of sunlight respectively. This seasonal journey underscores the stark contrast between the long, sun-drenched days of summer and the dark, wintry months, shaping not only the landscape but also the lifestyle of those in this northern region.
The UV Index in Northwest Iceland exhibits a distinct seasonal pattern, reflecting the influence of changing sunlight levels on human UV exposure. During the winter months of January and February, the UV Index remains low at 1, allowing for extended exposure times without significant risk of sunburn, estimated at 45 minutes. March marks the beginning of spring, with a slight increase to 2, yet still categorized as low. As the season progresses into April and May, the UV Index rises to 4 and 5, indicating a moderate risk level and a decrease in safe exposure time to 30 minutes, reminding residents to begin considering sun protection as they enjoy increasing daylight hours.
The peak UV levels arrive during the summer, with June and July both reaching a notable 6, categorized as high risk, with a burn time reduced to 25 minutes. This signals a crucial time for sun safety awareness among outdoor enthusiasts. As summer transitions to autumn, the index diminishes gradually, falling back to 4 in August and 3 in September, before retreating to lower levels of 2 in October and returning to 1 in the late fall and winter months. These fluctuations highlight the importance of adapting sun protection practices as the UV levels shift throughout the year, particularly during the sunnier months.
UV Risk Categories
In Northwest Iceland, daylight duration reveals a dramatic transformation throughout the year, characterized by stark contrasts between the dark winter months and the bright summer days. January and December see the least daylight, with only 4 hours and 3 hours, respectively, creating long nights that dominate the landscape. February offers a modest increase to 8 hours, while March ushers in the first signs of spring, extending daylight to 11 hours. As the days grow longer through April, reaching 15 hours, and into the vibrant month of May with 19 hours, residents revel in the increasing sunlight, setting the stage for the extended days of summer.
The pinnacle of daylight is achieved in June, where the sun graces the region for an impressive 22 hours. Following slightly lesser durations in July at 20 hours, daylight begins to decline, with August dropping to 16 hours. As autumn sets in, September sees daylight reduced to 12 hours, transitioning into October's 9 hours. This downward trend continues into November and eventually returns to the scarce illumination of winter, with only 5 hours in November and 3 hours again in December. This cyclical pattern of daylight underscores the unique character of life in Northwest Iceland, where daylight availability profoundly influences daily activities and seasonal rhythms.
Bloenduos, Iceland, experiences a subarctic climate characterized by cold winters and cool summers. January and February are the coldest months, with average temperatures hovering around -1°C (30°F) and significant snowfall, receiving about 83 mm (3.3 in) of precipitation. As spring approaches, temperatures gradually rise, peaking in summer with averages of 10°C (50°F) in July and August, alongside a decline in precipitation to around 80 mm (3.1 in). The area enjoys considerable sunshine from April to August, particularly in May with up to 286 hours of sun, before shifting to shorter days in winter. For more details on the seasonal climate, visit Bloenduos climate.
Hvammstangi, Iceland experiences a subarctic climate characterized by cold winters and mild summers. January temperatures range from a minimum of -11°C (12°F) to a maximum of 9°C (49°F), with substantial precipitation of 93 mm (3.6 in). As the year progresses, temperatures gradually rise, peaking in July at average highs of around 17°C (63°F). Sunshine hours are notably higher in the summer months, with May boasting 278 hours of sunlight, in stark contrast to the mere 6 hours in December. For more information, visit Hvammstangi climate.
Saudarkrokur, Iceland experiences a cold oceanic climate characterized by long, harsh winters and short, cool summers. January and February see minimum temperatures plummeting to around -20°C (-4°F) and significant snowfall, with precipitation averaging 88 mm per month. As spring approaches, temperatures gradually rise, peaking in July when highs can reach 21°C (71°F). Despite this, the region can be quite wet, particularly in September, which receives up to 170 mm of rain. For more details, visit Saudarkrokur climate.
In conclusion, the climate of Northwest Iceland is marked by its striking seasonal variations, influencing temperature, precipitation, sunshine duration, UV Index, and daylight hours. With frigid winters characterized by brief daylight and low UV exposure, and summers blessed with long hours of sunshine and elevated UV levels, this region offers a unique climatic experience. The transition from stark winter darkness to the vibrant, sun-filled days of summer illustrates the resilience and adaptability of both the local ecosystems and the communities residing there. As these seasonal changes unfold, they profoundly shape the daily life, activities, and environmental interactions in Northwest Iceland, highlighting the intricate relationship between climate and living conditions in this northern landscape.