January · Iceland
Best time to visit Reykjavik in January Weather, crowds & prices
Weather in Reykjavik in January
Average temperature -1°C, 170 mm of rain, about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 91% humidity — based on the five most recent complete years of ERA5 data (2021–2025).
January score
1.2/10
Ranked #12 of 12 months
- Avg temp
- -1°C
- Rainfall
- 170 mm
- Humidity
- 91%
- Days with 6h+ sun
- 0
- Crowd Density
- Quiet / Uncrowded
- Average Expenses
- $ · Budget Friendly ($)
January in Reykjavik scores 1.2/10 for nature and wildlife travel - ranked #12 of 12. Expect around -1°C, 170 mm of rain, and roughly 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine this month.
Northern lights nearby and geothermal days peak in the bright June-August window.
January in Reykjavik — the hardest end of the year
At -1°C (30°F) this is proper winter weather in January: layer up and split the day between outdoor highlights and indoor stops.
170 mm of water-equivalent precipitation makes this a snowy month at resort level; what falls stays as snow, with almost no days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 4.9 hours of daylight.
That is 1.2/10 on the same scale — 12th of 12 months, versus 7.6/10 for the best month here.
Pack insulated layers, a windproof shell, gloves and boots with grip, a proper rain shell rather than an umbrella, footwear you can get muddy.
Budget for low-season pricing, and crowds are light for this destination.
If your dates are flexible, July is materially better in Reykjavik — 6.4 points higher on the same scale.
Frequently asked
- What is the weather like in Reykjavik in January?
- In January, Reykjavik averages -1°C, 170 mm of rain, and about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Its climate-comfort score is 1.2/10.
- Is January a good time to visit Reykjavik?
- January earns a 1.2/10 climate-comfort score. Use the year-round chart to weigh the weather against your budget and crowd preferences.
- How much does it rain in Reykjavik in January?
- Expect about 170 mm of rain in January. Average humidity is 91% and there are about 0 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
Curated in Reykjavik
Tickets & experiences
Things to do in Reykjavik
Reykjavik, Iceland. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.