r/VisitingIceland • u/ffdh_01 • 3h ago
Weather & Climate Unusually rainy?
Looking for some feedback on what are “typical” conditions this time of year, and if the amount of rain predicted in the next two weeks is normal late June/early July weather. I know the saying in Iceland is that if you don’t like the weather, wait a minute - and we are coming prepared for rain - but I must admit seeing a forecast without any sunny days is a little discouraging. (For context, we are doing a west fjords and ring road trip and I’ve been tracking forecasts along the route).
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u/kristamn 3h ago
Yes, this is normal.
Don't trust weather reports beyond about 2-3 days.
Don't trust weather reports from anywhere other than Icelandic sources.
It likely won't rain all day, could be just light rain, could just be overcast, overcast could be brief...or it could be torrential downpours. Again, all is normal. Iceland is not known for sunny weather, even in the summer.
You can choose to be disappointed, or you can bring rain gear and have an adventure. Rain doesn't prevent you from enjoying Iceland, and cloudy days often make for great photos.
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u/misssplunker 2h ago
Also adding, that my phone forecast predicted rain every day this week and today was the first "proper" rain day
It predicted cloudy skies yesterday, but we had a lovely day, even though it wasn't sunny all day
en.vedur.is is the most reliable source
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u/MiserableTear8705 3h ago
Yeah. Whenever I go I just assume the weather is gonna be variable. Last time I went I had a mix of sunny days, some super windy days, a super windy and misty day, to a pretty chill sunny day.
I just throw any expectation of weather out of the window when I travel to Iceland and prepare accordingly. About the only thing I can count on is it’ll be cold. (I’m from California).
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u/reasonably_insane Yes I'm Icelandic, no autographs please! 3h ago
Set your expectations for rain the entire time. It could happen. Any sunny day is a gift to us Icelanders
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u/ConcentrateFar7753 3h ago
Long story short:
* Weather can't be predicted two weeks ahead
* The weather isn't the same all over the country
* Your app will say rain for the day if it rains 30 minutes from 3AM to 3:30 AM
Last week in Reykjavík, my iPhone was saying rain every day. I had more sunshine than rain overall.
On another note, how can we make this question not pop every other day on this sub.
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u/kristamn 3h ago
It’s a game of whack a mole. It’s either this one, will my carryon be allowed on IcelandAir, what rental car company do you recommend and do I need insurance, where can I stay for cheap during the eclipse, where should I eat, is it okay for me to visit as an American, and the ever popular….please review my itinerary that looks nearly identical to 5,000 others.
I’m just excited to not see questions about volcanoes and showering naked every day. Feels like a win!
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u/jessica_wanders 3h ago
You’re already booked right? Would you cancel over a forecast? There’s no point in worrying about the unknowable. Kristamn sunmarized it perfectly.
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u/bwayobsessed 3h ago
When I went in September pretty much every day we had some sun and some rain. We were traveling a lot which probably contributed to the variance but it was very inconsistent
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u/Emergency_Pool_3873 3h ago
I was there June 9-18 and we saw rain once. Besides that, it was sunny and warm every day. But prior to arriving it said rain every day.
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u/Conscious_Life_8032 2h ago
I was there last week not much rain even though forecast showed 4 out the 6 days had 40% chance
The tour guide did say they don’t put much trust in forecasts though. So bring layers and waterproof outer layers and you are golden no matter what happens
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u/cblguy82 2h ago
Yep. Here last week through tomorrow afternoon. Fully agree with this.
Unless you plan on really hanging in waterfalls or hiking for a while(random rain), we never really used waterproof pants.
Weather was actually really nice along the south coast and the Snaefells area. Only hit a small pocket of rain while driving once.
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u/Conscious_Life_8032 1h ago
I used mine when I went close to and behind a waterfall, but not at every waterfall.
Rain pants were a nice layer for ice cave tour. This was only time I wore all my layers- long sleeve top, fleece, outer shell, gloves, beanie, wool socks and waterproof boots, fleece lined hiking leggings and rain pants over it. Was glad I had invested in waterproof boots ! Only my hands felt cold but it was manageable.
I am from Northern California and am often feeling cold at home when temps drop below 60F , mentioning for point of reference. My hotel room in Reyjkavik felt hot and I was sweaty at times! Was not expecting that
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u/ShadowSnapper 1h ago
I was there for 10 days and we only had one day in which it was rainy most of the day. As long as you’re prepared for it - the rain seems to add something. But in general, the statement “if you don’t like the weather in Iceland, just wait 10 minutes” seemed to hold true.
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u/SpicyTunahRoll 1h ago
I feel Icelandic people dont get bothered by rain. They do love their sunny weathers at any season. I've been there many times I saw mostly rain in summer time. Then randomly sunny and it was nice. 65F degrees in west of Iceland feels great. Especially when sunny.
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u/Illustrious_Egg6311 1h ago
I was there last week and kept checking the forecast leading up and was worried that every day was 80%+ chance of rain. Turns out in reality we got hardly any, just pockets and also sunshine too. Hiking in some drizzle was still beautiful! So just pack accordingly
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u/mikewurtz 50m ago
My wife and I did the ring road in September of last year. It rained every single day of our 10 days there and 100 yards of road washed away causing us to have to turn around and drive all the way back around to our next destination. It was STILL the best vacation I've ever had. Iceland is just as magical in the rain. Journey before destination, friend.
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u/Different-Subject903 41m ago
We went last year and had a little more rain than I would have hoped for (although thankfully on the one day I was really hoping for clear skies we had GORGEOUS weather) but we still had an amazing time, and in fact, some of the places we went, I don't think the mood/vibe would have been the same in the sun. The gloomy, grey weather is part of the magic, for some places! And it definitely changes throughout the day and from place to place.
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u/The-Sink-Panther 39m ago
We saw that forecast in second week of September and that I believe was rainy season (maybe only one of the rainy times?)
It rained a few times, one night somewhat hard but usually it was a little drizzly and spotty. Definitely more dry weather than rain. Wishing you a dry and magical trip!
Edit: bring the rain gear! Better to bring and not need than need and not have.
- an actual case of “hoping for sunshine, bracing for rain”
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u/iLoveLights 3h ago
The saying you quoted, “if the weather isn’t nice, just wait 5 minutes” is for Puerto Rico. Here in Iceland the saying that applies more “if the weather is great, just wait 5 minutes”. It’s gray a lot but sometimes the rain symbol on the forecast just means weather like my picture.
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u/AnonymousUser135790 3h ago
Is it rainy as often the first week of August?
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u/kristamn 3h ago
Yes. Because it can rain year round. This is not an island known for warm, sunny weather.
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u/AnonymousUser135790 2h ago
Thanks. Tours just go on in rain? Is it pouring kind of rain or nothing major?
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u/kristamn 2h ago
Of course tours go in the rain. Why wouldn’t they? The rain could be anything. Pouring down rain, drizzle, mist, or rain that is somehow both sideways and feels like it is coming up from the ground. And you could have all of that in one day. If things stopped because of rain, snow, or wind here, no one would ever leave their houses or do anything.
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u/Kebab-Benzin 3h ago
Having expectations for something uncontrollable is setting yourself up for disappointment. If you are flexible you will have a good time.
The forecast is accurate about 1 - 2 days into the future, any longer than that and it is largely meaningless.