Iceland weather
in January
“A quiet, cold month. Beautiful for those who prefer it that way.”
Roughly 19 rainy days across the month, on average.
In january, Iceland settles into its cold, contemplative stillness. The city keeps a different pulse than in summer or midwinter, and travellers who arrive with the right expectations are rewarded.
Days average around -4°C (25°F), cooling to -9°C after sunset. Expect meaningful rain — some 19 wet days across the month. Pack accordingly and let the weather choose your afternoons. Daylight is short — the mornings arrive slowly and the evenings settle in early.
These figures are climatological averages, drawn from a decade of daily records via the Open-Meteo Archive — not a forecast. But they are honest, and they are the sort of thing a good travel guide ought to tell you before you book the flight.
What to pack for Iceland in January
- •A properly warm coat — not a fashion piece
- •A compact travel umbrella — one you'll actually carry
- •A merino base layer for the cold evenings
- •Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes
- •A small daypack that won't look like a tourist beacon
What to pack for Iceland in January
- →Merino wool base layerAmazon · shop this
- →Insulated puffer jacketAmazon · shop this
- →Thermal glovesAmazon · shop this
- →Packable rain jacketAmazon · shop this
- →Compact travel umbrellaAmazon · shop this
- →Waterproof dry bagAmazon · shop this
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Where to stay in Iceland
We don't review individual hotels — plenty of people do that well. What we do is send you to compare rooms in Iceland across trusted platforms.
Compare hotels on Booking.com→Other places with a similar climate right now
Iceland in January — FAQ
Q01Is January a good time to visit Iceland?
Is January a good time to visit Iceland?
It is a challenging month — you may want to consider another time of year. In January, Iceland averages a high of -4°C (25°F) and a low of -9°C (16°F), with 124mm of rainfall across roughly 19 rainy days.
Q02What is the average temperature in Iceland in January?
What is the average temperature in Iceland in January?
The average high temperature in Iceland during January is -4°C (25°F), with an average low of -9°C (16°F). These figures are averaged from ten years of daily records (2015–2024, Open-Meteo Archive).
Q03How many rainy days does Iceland have in January?
How many rainy days does Iceland have in January?
Iceland averages approximately 19 rainy days in January, with a total monthly rainfall of about 124mm. This is based on daily precipitation records where days with 1mm or more of rain are counted as rainy days.
Q04What should I pack for Iceland in January?
What should I pack for Iceland in January?
For Iceland in January, pack a warm winter coat, a merino base layer for evenings, a compact umbrella or waterproof jacket, comfortable walking shoes. These recommendations are based on the ten-year weather averages for this specific month.
Q05How crowded is Iceland in January?
How crowded is Iceland in January?
Tourist crowds in Iceland during January are typically low — winter is off-season, meaning quiet streets and better hotel deals. Consider this when planning accommodation — prices track crowd levels closely.