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When to go · Akureyri

Akureyri in January

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (short daylight, snow, some services closed).

Key facts

Verdict
Avoid
Temperature
3°C (37°F) / −4°C (25°F)
average high / low
Rain days
12
Crowds
Low
Iceland overall
Prices
Medium
Iceland overall

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Akureyri

Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (short daylight, snow, some services closed).

Is another month better than January?

January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

Long-term averages
  • AkureyriHighs around 3 °C (37 °F), lows around -4 °C (25 °F), rain on about 12 days
  • North and east, Iceland · Akureyri, Mývatn, Húsavík, East Fjordscool

    Colder, drier and often sunnier than the south; more snow in winter, warmer summer days.

Festivals and holidays

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

  • Christmas and New Year big impact

    24–26 Dec, 31 Dec – 1 Jan · Iceland

    Shops and restaurants close from mid-afternoon on the 24th and 31st; huge private fireworks on New Year's Eve.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Iceland overall
Low
Prices · Iceland overall
Medium

Iceland overall: 4–5 h of light, storms, ice caves and auroras; keep buffer days.

Compare two months

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Akureyri, side by side.

  • Verdict

    Jan: Avoid

    Feb: Great (better)

  • Daytime high

    Jan: 3 °C (37 °F)

    Feb: 3 °C (37 °F)

  • Night low

    Jan: -4 °C (25 °F)

    Feb: -4 °C (25 °F)

  • Rain days

    Jan: 12

    Feb: 11 (better)

  • Crowds

    Jan: Low

    Feb: Medium

  • Prices

    Jan: Medium

    Feb: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 1

    Feb: 0

January: Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (short daylight, snow, some services closed).

February: Inside Akureyri's best window: Jun–Sep (midnight sun, all roads open); Feb–Mar and Sep–Oct for northern lights.

Akureyri: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
  • Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across Iceland in January →