Iceland in January – Weather, Things to Do, Northern Lights & More

To share more about each month in Iceland, I’m adding an informational series to the podcast. After each month of this year, I will provide insight about what you can expect in the month. Things like the weather, road conditions, what to wear/pack, what makes it worth it to visit during that month, some tips on driving in that time, top activities, and events that happen annually during that month. Weather in Iceland in January While the temperature can range from -10˚C to + 5˚C (14˚F to 41˚F), the average temperature, specifically in Reykjavík, in January in from -1˚C to just above freezing at +1˚C (30.2˚F to 33.8˚F).As you venture out to the countryside, the temperatures are often cooler, especially as you head north. We’ve had an unusually cold winter. To my surprise, there were some places that went as low as -22˚C (-7.6˚F).On top of the possible weather temperatures, there are wind and/or snowstorms that happen during this time of year. Every winter is not the same but there does seem to be an expectation of more storms in January.Of course, the wind chill makes the temperatures I spoke about earlier more biting. Depending on what you are used to regarding winter, these numbers might sound intense. Yes, it’s a bit intense but I still think this time of year is an amazing time to visit. Please keep in mind that no matter the time of year that you visit Iceland, it’s imperative that you try to be flexible with your schedule. I know that sounds challenging when you have a limited number of days but the storms here can be dangerous. This can force you to change the direction you plan to go in or even keep you staying put for a day or two. A little later in this episode, I talk about what makes it a fun month to visit and I share what I recommend wearing during January in Iceland so you can keep warm and dry. Day Light Hours in January At the beginning of January, we start off with a whopping 4 hours and 23 minutes of day light in Reykjavík. By January 16th, we have 5 hours and 29 minutes, and by the 31st we have jumped up to 6 hours and 29 minutes.Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to make informed decisions when it comes to planning your trip in the country. Shorter days make it harder to see many of the natural wonders around the country but knowing that beforehand will help you manage expectations and the ability to work in other activities that can be done when the sun goes down. What to Wear in January in Iceland In my opinion, what you wear in Iceland can make or break your trip. No one wants to be cold and wet. Well, ok most people don’t want to be cold and wet. Side note, I’m really interested in learning the Wim Hof method, so I might end being one of those people that willingly jumps into cold tubs. If you haven’t heard of Wim Hof aka “The Ice Man”, I highly recommend looking him up.Ok, back to what you should pack and wear in Iceland. I did an episode called “Iceland Packing List for Winter” Cintamani - High Quality Local Icelandic Outdoor Clothing Company Before I jump in, I am very excited to share that the sponsor of this episode is Cintamani, an Icelandic outdoor clothing brand that provides high quality clothes for all types of adventures.I have been a fan of theirs for quite some time because their clothes are amazing. I have a decent amount of items from them that have provided amazing protection against Iceland‘s harsh weather conditions. Because I am so familiar with the brand and the quality they provide, I am happy that I can offer my listeners a discount of 15% off your online purchases with them when you use the code „Jewells“.