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When to go · Iceland

Iceland in November

Mixed month. Short days, storms; Iceland Airwaves; ice caves open.

Key facts

Verdict
Mixed
Crowds
Low
Iceland
Prices
Low
Iceland

Verdict

MixedVoykit month rating for Iceland

Short days, storms; Iceland Airwaves; ice caves open.

Is another month better than November?

November is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

Weather in November

  • Reykjavík and the south-west · Reykjavík, Golden Circle, Reykjanesstorm or typhoon risk

    Mild and windy: around 0 °C (32 °F) in January, 12–14 °C (54–57 °F) in July. About 21 h of daylight in June, 4–5 h in late December.

  • South coast · Vík, Skaftafell, Jökulsárlónstorm or typhoon risk

    The wettest and windiest lowland; sandstorms and high winds close Route 1 in places. Ice caves open roughly November–March with guides.

  • North and east · Akureyri, Mývatn, Húsavík, East Fjordscool

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

  • Highlands · Landmannalaugar, Þórsmörk, Askja, Kjölurcool

    F-roads open roughly late June to early September, dates set each year — check umferdin.is. Snow possible any month.

  • East Iceland: South-east coast (Höfn) · Sand and glacier shelf below Vatnajökullcold

    Wettest and windiest part of the region; fog and rain off the glacier are common even in July.

  • East Iceland: Hérað and the East Fjords · Inland around Lagarfljót and the fjord villagescold

    Sheltered inland and among the warmest places in Iceland in summer; fjord villages are cooler and windier.

  • North Iceland: North Iceland coast · Akureyri, Skagafjörður, Mývatn, Húsavíkcold

    Colder and harsher than Reykjavík; winter storms can close roads. Midges around Mývatn in summer — check.

  • South Iceland: South coast · Þorlákshöfn to Höfncold

    Wind is the real weather: it can close roads and doors. Winter daylight is 4–5 hours in December; June has near-24-hour light. Rain falls year-round — bring a waterproof shell, not an umbrella.

  • Southwest Iceland: Reykjavík and the Reykjanes coast · capital area and peninsulacold

    Coastal wind is the main discomfort; summer highs sit near 12–15 °C (54–59 °F), winter near 0–3 °C (32–37 °F). Rain and wind change within hours.

  • West Iceland: Snæfellsnes and the coast · West Icelandcold

    May–Sep is the practical window; winter brings wind, ice and short daylight. The peninsula sticks into the Atlantic, so expect wind year-round.

  • Westfjords: Westfjords coast · Ísafjörður, Patreksfjörður, fjord villagescold

    Short summer window Jun–Aug; wind and rain any month. Mountain roads and passes can close for months outside summer.

  • Reykjavík4 °C (39 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 16 rain days
  • Akureyri4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 12 rain days
  • Arnarstapi5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days
  • Blue Lagoon5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 15 rain days
  • Borgarnes4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 14 rain days
  • Egilsstaðir2 °C (36 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 13 rain days
  • Eyrarbakki4 °C (39 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 14 rain days
  • Fossholl4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 12 rain days
  • Hafnarfjörður4 °C (39 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 13 rain days
  • Hella4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 10 rain days
  • Hellissandur4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 15 rain days
  • Höfn5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 13 rain days
  • Húsavík4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 13 rain days
  • Hveragerði4 °C (39 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days
  • Ísafjörður3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 17 rain days
  • Keflavík5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 12 rain days
  • Kirkjubæjarklaustur4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 13 rain days
  • Kópavogur4 °C (39 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 13 rain days
  • Mývatn3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 12 rain days
  • Raufarhöfn3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 13 rain days
  • Selfoss5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 12 rain days
  • Seyðisfjörður4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 14 rain days
  • Siglufjörður4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days
  • Skagafjörður4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 14 rain days
  • Skógar5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 12 rain days
  • Stokkseyri5 °C (41 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 13 rain days
  • Stykkishólmur4 °C (39 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days
  • Súðavík4 °C (39 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 12 rain days
  • Suðureyri3 °C (37 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 16 rain days
  • Vestmannaeyjar5 °C (41 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 15 rain days
  • Vík í Mýrdal5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 15 rain 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.

  • Iceland Airwaves

    Early Nov

    Music festival across Reykjavík venues.

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Iceland
Low
Prices · Iceland
Low

Compare two months

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

  • Verdict

    Nov: Mixed

    Jun: Great (better)

  • Crowds

    Nov: Low

    Jun: High

  • Prices

    Nov: Low

    Jun: High

  • Festivals listed

    Nov: 1

    Jun: 3

November: Short days, storms; Iceland Airwaves; ice caves open.

June: Near-constant light, open roads, National Day on the 17th; highland roads open late in the month.

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

What to pack

  • Layers: a fleece or light jacket
  • A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
  • A spare day in the plan: storms can cancel flights and ferries

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Where to go in November

Rated best or good this month

  • Höfn

    Best months: Jun–Aug for the Ring Road and midnight light; Feb–Mar and Oct–Mar for ice caves

Better another month

  • Reykjavík and the south-west

    Mild and windy: around 0 °C (32 °F) in January, 12–14 °C (54–57 °F) in July. About 21 h of daylight in June, 4–5 h in late December.

  • South coast

    The wettest and windiest lowland; sandstorms and high winds close Route 1 in places. Ice caves open roughly November–March with guides.