Your February weather guide
CoolWeather in Reykjavik in February
Go to Reykjavik in February if you are happy to plan around cold, wet weather rather than spend long stretches outdoors. Average daytime highs are 1.3°C, nights fall to -3.5°C, and about 17 days have rain. That makes waterproof clothing and flexible plans more important than a packed outdoor itinerary. It suits travellers comfortable with winter conditions; if you want mild weather and easy outdoor days, this is not the month to choose.
Long-term climate averages for Reykjavík, not a forecast · 1991-2020
Reykjavik, month by month
Your snapshot
At a glance
The useful details for Reykjavík.
- Average daytime high
- 1.3°C
- 9 in 10 days stay below 6°C
- Average night-time low
- -3.5°C
- coldest 10% of nights: -10°C or lower
- Compared with London
- -6.6°C
- London averages 7.9°C in February
- Sunshine per day (est.)
- 2.0h
- 25% of 8.1 h of daylight
- Rainy days (1 mm+)
- 17
- 131 mm over the month
- Humidity
- 81%
- Days over 25°C
- 0%
- none over 30°C
- Record high 1991-2020
- 9.1°C
- 2013-02-25
- Record low 1991-2020
- -23.7°C
- 2008-02-02
- Flight from London
- ≈ 3 h 6 min
- 1918 km, short-haul (estimate for a direct flight)
Records are observed extremes within 1991-2020, not typical holiday conditions. Warm-day percentages are shares of days, not day counts.
How February compares
February is the 10th warmest month of the year in Reykjavik. Against London's average high of 7.9°C in February, Reykjavik is 6.6°C cooler by day and 5.5°C cooler at night.
Daytime and night-time in February
The typical February day in Reykjavik peaks at 1.3°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 6.3°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average -3.5°C; one night in ten drops to -10.2°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest February day here reached 9.1°C (2013-02-25) and the coldest night -23.7°C (2008-02-02).
Rain in February
Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 17 days with 1 mm or more, 131 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest February was 2003 with 224 mm, the driest 2014 with 28 mm. Humidity averages 81%.
Sunshine and daylight
Around 2.0 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 8.1 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 09:26 and sets about 17:57 local time in mid-February. Average cloud cover is 76%.
Is February a good time to visit Reykjavik?
February is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Reykjavik on our scoring are June, May, July.
Cold days need proper winter clothing
The daytime average sits only just above freezing, so do not expect the middle of the day to feel mild. Pack an insulating coat, warm layers, gloves and a hat, with footwear that keeps your feet warm and dry. Evening plans need particular thought because temperatures typically fall below freezing after dark. The coldest 10% of nights reach -10.2°C or lower, so the average night temperature is not a safe limit to pack for. At the milder end, days can reach 6.3°C or more, but that still calls for a coat. Choose February if dressing for the cold feels manageable, rather than something that would spoil the trip.
Leave room for wet weather and short daylight
Rain is a regular constraint, not just an occasional interruption. A waterproof outer layer is a sensible priority, and it helps to keep outdoor plans movable rather than commit every day in advance. There are about 8.1 hours of daylight, but only about 2 hours of sunshine, so daylight should not be confused with clear skies. Put the outdoor time you care most about into the daylight window and allow for breaks indoors when conditions are unpleasant. February is a better fit for a flexible city break than a trip built around spending most of each day outside. If persistent wet weather would frustrate you, choose another month.
A little perspective
Reykjavik through the year
February is highlighted. See how it compares with the rest of the year.
| Month | Day | Night | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1.2°C | -3.5°C | 1.1 | 131 | 18 | 0% |
| FebruarySelected | 1.3°C | -3.5°C | 2.0 | 131 | 17 | 0% |
| March | 2.5°C | -2.6°C | 2.8 | 118 | 17 | 0% |
| April | 5.6°C | 0.0°C | 4.0 | 104 | 17 | 0% |
| Maybest | 9.3°C | 3.3°C | 4.8 | 92 | 16 | 0% |
| Junebest | 12.5°C | 6.8°C | 4.9 | 80 | 14 | 0% |
| Julybest | 14.3°C | 8.7°C | 4.4 | 86 | 15 | 0% |
| August | 13.3°C | 8.2°C | 3.7 | 104 | 16 | 0% |
| September | 10.3°C | 5.8°C | 2.8 | 134 | 18 | 0% |
| October | 6.0°C | 2.0°C | 2.6 | 121 | 15 | 0% |
| November | 2.8°C | -0.9°C | 1.5 | 121 | 16 | 0% |
| December | 1.3°C | -3.2°C | 0.9 | 133 | 18 | 0% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
Keep exploring
Similar in February
Closest matches on daytime temperature, sea temperature and sunshine, in other countries.
A little more detail
Reykjavik in February FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
Is Reykjavik hot in February?
Reykjavik is cool in February: the average daytime high is 1.3°C and nights average -3.5°C. Days over 25°C are rare in February.
How much does it rain in Reykjavik in February?
Reykjavik sees about 17 rainy days (1 mm or more) and 131 mm of rain in a typical February. The wettest February between 1991 and 2020 was 2003 (224 mm) and the driest was 2014 (28 mm).
How sunny is Reykjavik in February?
Reykjavik gets around 2.0 hours of sunshine a day in February out of 8.1 hours of daylight (estimated from average cloud cover).
How does Reykjavik compare with the UK in February?
Reykjavik is on average 6.6°C cooler than London by day in February (1.3°C against 7.9°C).
What is the hottest February on record in Reykjavik?
Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest February day in Reykjavik reached 9.1°C on 2013-02-25, and the coldest night dropped to -23.7°C on 2008-02-02.
How much colder is Reykjavik than London in February?
Reykjavik's average daytime high is 1.3°C, compared with 7.9°C in London, a difference of 6.6°C. If London is your reference point, plan for a noticeably colder trip, with warmer layers rather than relying on your usual light winter outfit.
Is February a good choice for a short break from the UK?
The flight from London takes about 3 h 6 min, so the journey is short-haul. February can suit a short break if you accept cold, wet conditions and limited daylight; it is less suitable if outdoor comfort is your priority.
Which months should I consider instead?
June, May and July are the best alternatives for weather. February sits towards the colder end of Reykjavik's year, so choose it for a winter trip rather than expecting conditions suited to relaxed, extended time outdoors.
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Reykjavík. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C