Climate

Because of the Gulf Stream's moderating influence, Iceland's climate is characterised by damp, cool summers and relatively mild but windy winters.

There are some variations in the climate between different parts of the island. Very generally speaking, the south coast is warmer, wetter and windier than the north. Low lying inland areas in the north are the most arid. Snowfall in winters is more common in the north than the south. The Central Highlands are the coldest part of the country.

In Reykjavik (elevation 18 m), average temperatures are at their lowest in January/February at 0°C (with a minimum of -2°C and a maximum of 2°C), and their highest in July, at 11°C (with a minimum of 9°C and a maximum of 14°C). Rainfall averages from 4 to 9 cm a month, with the greatest amounts falling in October to January (8 cm a month or more), with the least (5 cm or less) falling from May to July.

The highest air temperature recorded was 30.5°C (86.9°F) on 22 June 1939 at Teigarhorn on the southeastern coast. The lowest temperature was -38°C (-36.4°F) on 22 January 1918 at Grimsstadir and Modrudalur in the interior of northeast. The temperature records for Reykjavik are 24.8°C (76.6°F) on 11 August 2004, and -24.5°C (-12.1°F) on 21 January 1918.