Avg High
Reykjavik in January
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
6h
What to expect
January in Reykjavik is mid-winter, with a settled seasonal pattern already in place. The month leans cold in practice, with only small changes from morning to evening. Most days feel close to what the averages suggest, with straightforward pacing. Daylight is shorter, so timing matters more than in longer-day months.
January in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Reykjavik.
Hottest (avg)
#12 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#3 / 12
Daylight Hours
#11 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#2 / 12
Highest UV
#11 / 12
Most Humid
#6 / 12
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 5.6 h
- UV index (max)
- 1
- Typical sun hours
- 10:48 - 16:24
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 20 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 78%
- Snowfall
-
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 82%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for January. Typical high 1.0°C and low -3.8°C.
Typical disruptions in January
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in January.
Cold High impact
Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
31.0 days / month
~100% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 31.0 days / month
- Probability ~100% of days
- Intensity Up to ~-1°C (P95)
Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~31 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Cold High impact
Freezing nights Measures: Freezing nights (min <=0C). Observed about 72% of days (22.4 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
22.4 days / month
~72% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 22.4 days / month
- Probability ~72% of days
- Intensity Up to ~-0°C (P95)
Freezing nights are possible on ~22 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cold High impact
Hard freeze nights Measures: Hard freeze nights (min <=-2C). Observed about 55% of days (17.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
17.2 days / month
~55% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 17.2 days / month
- Probability ~55% of days
- Intensity Up to ~-2°C (P95)
Hard freeze conditions are possible on ~17 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Snow High impact
Snow days Measures: Snow days (>=0.1mm snowfall). Observed about 54% of days (16.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
16.6 days / month
~54% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 16.6 days / month
- Probability ~54% of days
- Intensity Up to ~6.9mm (P95)
Snowfall is possible on ~17 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind High impact
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 36% of days (11.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
11.3 days / month
~36% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 11.3 days / month
- Probability ~36% of days
- Intensity Up to ~103km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~11 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain High impact
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 30% of days (9.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
9.3 days / month
~30% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 9.3 days / month
- Probability ~30% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~9 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Show all disruptions (25 more)
Rain High impact
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 30% of days (9.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
9.2 days / month
~30% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 9.2 days / month
- Probability ~30% of days
- Intensity Up to ~23mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~9 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 14% of days (4.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.3 days / month
~14% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.3 days / month
- Probability ~14% of days
- Intensity Up to ~108km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~4 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wind High impact
Severe gusts Measures: Severe gust days (>=80 km/h). Observed about 13% of days (3.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.9 days / month
~13% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.9 days / month
- Probability ~13% of days
- Intensity Up to ~113km/h (P95)
Severe gusts are possible on ~4 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain High impact
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 2.3 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
2.3 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 2.3 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~22mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~2 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Wind disruption Measures: Disruptive wind days. Observed about 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~123km/h (P95)
Disruptive wind is possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain High impact
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 1% of days (0.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.3 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.3 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~36mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain Moderate
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 15% of days (4.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.5 days / month
~15% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.5 days / month
- Probability ~15% of days
- Intensity Up to ~26mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~5 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cold Moderate
Wind chill risk Measures: Wind chill risk days. Observed about 14% of days (4.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.3 days / month
~14% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.3 days / month
- Probability ~14% of days
- Intensity Up to ~-1°C (P95)
Wind chill risk is possible on ~4 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Visibility Moderate
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 11% of days (3.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.5 days / month
~11% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.5 days / month
- Probability ~11% of days
- Intensity Up to ~99% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cold Moderate
Cold snap run Measures: Cold snap runs (>=3 cold days). Observed about 1.0 days/month in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.0 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.0 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~7°C (P95)
Cold snap runs are possible on ~1 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Daylight Minor
Short daylight Measures: Short daylight days (<=9h). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
31.0 days / month
~100% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 31.0 days / month
- Probability ~100% of days
- Intensity Up to ~6.9h (P95)
Short daylight windows are possible on ~31 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cold Minor
Cold days Measures: Cold days (max <=10C). Observed about 100% of days (31.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
31.0 days / month
~100% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 31.0 days / month
- Probability ~100% of days
- Intensity Up to ~7°C (P95)
Cold daytime conditions are possible on ~31 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Cold Minor
Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 98% of days (30.4 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
30.4 days / month
~98% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 30.4 days / month
- Probability ~98% of days
- Intensity Up to ~3°C (P95)
Cold nights are possible on ~30 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Cloud Minor
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 82% of days (25.3 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
25.3 days / month
~82% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 25.3 days / month
- Probability ~82% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~25 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 71% of days (22.0 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
22.0 days / month
~71% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 22.0 days / month
- Probability ~71% of days
- Intensity Up to ~18mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~22 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind Minor
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 70% of days (21.7 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
21.7 days / month
~70% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 21.7 days / month
- Probability ~70% of days
- Intensity Up to ~96km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~22 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Rain Minor
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 64% of days (19.9 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
19.9 days / month
~64% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 19.9 days / month
- Probability ~64% of days
- Intensity Up to ~22h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~20 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cloud Minor
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 63% of days (19.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
19.6 days / month
~63% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 19.6 days / month
- Probability ~63% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~20 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humidity Minor
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 62% of days (19.2 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
19.2 days / month
~62% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 19.2 days / month
- Probability ~62% of days
- Intensity Up to ~98% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~19 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Rain Minor
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 53% of days (16.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
16.6 days / month
~53% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 16.6 days / month
- Probability ~53% of days
- Intensity Up to ~22h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~17 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cloud Minor
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 29% of days (9.1 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
9.1 days / month
~29% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 9.1 days / month
- Probability ~29% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~9 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind Minor
Breezy days Measures: Breezy days (mean wind >=25 km/h). Observed about 15% of days (4.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.6 days / month
~15% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.6 days / month
- Probability ~15% of days
- Intensity Up to ~39km/h (P95)
Breezy conditions are possible on ~5 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Other Minor
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 11% of days (3.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.5 days / month
~11% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.5 days / month
- Probability ~11% of days
- Intensity Up to ~99 (P95)
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~3 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Other Minor
Heavy snowfall (INACTIVE until snowfall_sum units confirmed; set threshold once units are verified) Measures: Heavy snowfall (INACTIVE until snowfall_sum units confirmed; set threshold once units are verified). Observed about 5% of days (1.6 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.6 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.6 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~11 (P95)
Heavy snowfall (INACTIVE until snowfall_sum units confirmed; set threshold once units are verified) is possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Wind Minor
Windy days Measures: Windy days (mean wind >=35 km/h). Observed about 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in January. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~43km/h (P95)
Strong mean winds are possible on ~0 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Frequently asked questions
Is January a good time to visit Reykjavik?
Typical January days in Reykjavik reach highs of 1°C (34°F) with nights around -3°C (27°F). It usually feels cold by day and very cold after dark. It is among the wetter months, so it is wise to have some indoor backup plans or flexible activities.
What are temperatures like in January?
Daytime temperatures in January typically peak near 1°C (34°F), while nights drop to around -3°C (27°F). Expect cold afternoons and very cold evenings.
How much does it rain in January?
Rainfall in January averages 130 mm (5.1 in) across roughly 20 days. Overall it is a very wet time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.
How many hours of daylight are there in January?
You can expect about 6 hours of daylight in January. Sunrise is typically around 10:48 and sunset near 16:24. Daylight is quite limited, and it can feel like a short-day season.
How strong is the sun in January?
UV levels are usually low (around 1), so standard sun protection is enough.
Is it windy in January?
In January, average wind speeds are around 17 km/h (11 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 84 km/h (52 mph). On the ground, it is it is a notably windy place, and strong gusts are fairly common.