Planning a trip to Iceland starts with one BIG question. 

What will the weather be like when I go?

Do not fret - We are here to help and this guide walks you through Iceland weather by month so you can pick the right time, pack the right layers and choose the right car. It also shows where an Iceland car rental matters most for safety and freedom. Zero Car focuses on making those decisions simpler. You get all-inclusive cover with zero excess that includes gravel, sand and ash. Unlimited mileage. 24/7 roadside assistance included in the price. Fast online check-in with 24/7 keybox pickup and drop-off at KEF, and there is always staff at the Keflavík office if you want a hand with the keyboxes. Explore what we offer, compare sizes and drivetrains on Zero’s Fleet, and scan recent experiences on Zero Reviews.

How to use this guide

Each month below explains typical conditions, daylight, what to pack, route tips and the kind of car that suits the season. We believe that there is a season for each traveller since you cannot do all in one!

We recently showcased our one-stop-month table that gives you in a quick glance all you can and cannot do:
 

January

Average temperatures (Reykjavík): high 3 °C / low −2 °C. (Time and Date)
Expected weather: Deep winter. Frequent snow and ice, strong wind, and occasional storm days. Roads beyond the capital may close; plan short driving days and check Road.is each morning.
Places to see:

• Reykjavík’s warm-up circuit: Perlan, National Museum, and thermal pools like Sky Lagoon.
• Short, calm-day runs on the Golden Circle; bail out early if wind rises.
• Reykjanes Peninsula for geothermal sights and coastal lava fields; keep an eye on conditions.
  
  Driving tip: Keep itineraries flexible; pick up or drop off at odd hours smoothly with Zero Car Rental’s 24/7 keyboxes and staff presence at KEF.

Packing advice: Warm base layers, waterproof shell, insulated boots, microspikes, headlamp.
Best car types: AWD SUV with decent clearance; consider winter-optimized tires. Browse options on Zero’s Fleet.

February

Average temperatures (Reykjavík): high 3 °C / low −2 °C. (Time and Date)
Expected weather: Still wintery and windy, but calmer spells appear between fronts. Good aurora odds on clear nights; icy mornings common.
Places to see:

South Coast highlights (Seljalandsfoss, Skógafoss, Reynisfjara) on settled days.

Snæfellsnes Peninsula for cliffs and arches; watch for drifting snow on exposed sections.

Reykjavík food scene and galleries when winds are flagged.
Driving tip: Mixed surfaces are normal—slow well before gravel transitions and bridges; review city ideas in Zero’s Reykjavík guide.

Packing advice: As January, plus sunglasses for low sun.
Best car types: AWD SUVs remain the safe call; compact AWD crossovers suit light-pack pairs.

March

Average temperatures (Reykjavík): high 4 °C / low −1 °C. (Time and Date)
Expected weather: Transitional—freeze/thaw cycles, slick mornings, brighter afternoons.
Places to see:

South Coast waterfalls with growing daylight (carry microspikes for paths).

Snæfellsnes lava fields and beaches; photograph long blue hours.

Northern lights on clear nights; rest in the afternoon before late drives.
Driving tip: Black ice is common at dawn; brush up on pitfalls in Zero’s “don’t be that tourist” guide.

Packing advice: Keep winter layers; add lighter gloves and beanie for sunny spells.
Best car types: AWD recommended; FWD crossover is fine in extended calm.

April

Average temperatures (Reykjavík): high 7 °C / low 1 °C. (Time and Date)
Expected weather: Early spring feel in the south; slush, rain showers, and gusts. Many gravel/higher roads still soft or closed.
Places to see:

Golden Circle and Reykjadalur steam valley walks (paths can be muddy).

West Iceland waterfalls (Hraunfossar/Barnafoss) as snowlines retreat.

Reykjavík culture days if a front rolls through; consider delaying pickup per Zero’s advice on timing your rental.

Packing advice: Waterproof boots; warm hat stays in your pocket.
Best car types: Crossovers and AWD SUVs; modest crossover OK on paved loops.

May

Average temperatures (Reykjavík): high 10 °C / low 4 °C. (Time and Date)
Expected weather: A spring “sweet spot.” Greener lowlands, longer days, fewer storms.
Places to see:

Puffin viewing begins at some colonies late month (Westman Islands; check local notices).

Snæfellsnes and the South Coast with better footing on trails.

Borgarfjörður Eystri for early birdlife (roads generally fine but verify conditions).
Driving tip: Twilights tempt long days—schedule real breaks. Consider a broader loop using Zero’s 2-week Ring Road + Westfjords plan.

Packing advice: Light down/synthetic mid-layer plus rain shell.
Best car types: Crossovers excel; AWD helpful if a cold snap returns. Unlimited mileage with Zero Car Rental makes detours easy.

June

Average temperatures (Reykjavík): high 13 °C / low 7 °C. (Time and Date)
Expected weather: Peak daylight. Generally mild with on-off showers; winds calmer than winter but still variable. Highland tracks start to open late month (always verify).
Places to see:

Midnight-sun photography on Snæfellsnes beaches and volcanic craters.

Whale watching from the north (Húsavík/Akureyri) during road-trip loops.

Early-opening Highland edges (e.g., Hveravellir via Kjölur/F35, conditions permitting).
Driving tip: Even in summer, slow on gravel and use pull-outs for photos.

Packing advice: Breathable layers, light hat/gloves for boat tours.
Best car types: Crossovers and midsize SUVs suit most plans; see Zero’s Fleet if you’ll sample rougher tracks later.

July

Average temperatures (Reykjavík): high 14 °C / low 9 °C. (Time and Date)
Expected weather: Settled and busy; showers possible, but trails and services are fully open.
Places to see:

Westfjords grand loop (Dynjandi, Rauðisandur) on patient gravel driving.

Highland oases when open—Hveravellir and Kerlingarfjöll via F35 (no rivers; still 4×4 only).

Glacier lagoons (Jökulsárlón/Diamond Beach) under long evenings.
Driving tip: Start early/arrive late at popular lots; never park on moss or soft shoulders.

Packing advice: Breathable layers + rain shell; sunscreen and sunglasses.
Best car types: Crossovers/midsize SUVs; book early. Late-night/early-morning flights remain easy with Zero Car Rental keyboxes and staff support.

August

Average temperatures (Reykjavík): high 14 °C / low 9 °C. (Time and Date)
Expected weather: Late-summer vibe; more showers in some regions, calm spells still common.
Places to see:

Full Ring Road with fjord detours and berry-season picnics.

North Iceland waterfalls (Dettifoss, Goðafoss) and whale tours.

Highland hiking bases like Landmannalaugar once open (always confirm; avoid river crossings in rentals).
Driving tip: Westfjords/Eastfjords gravel demands patience—yield at pull-outs and keep speeds low.

Packing advice: Light layers plus a warmer mid-layer for windy coasts.
Best car types: Crossovers/midsize SUVs; a touch more clearance helps on extended gravel.

September

Average temperatures (Reykjavík): high 11 °C / low 6 °C. (Time and Date)
Expected weather: Shoulder-season gold. Brisk, clearer air; first auroras return on dark nights. Showers and windy spells are more frequent than midsummer.
Places to see:

Þingvellir, Þórsmörk access points on calm days (check roads), and South Coast canyons in fall color.

Horse round-ups (réttir) in various rural areas—ask locals for dates.

Snæfellsnes sea-cliff walks with migrating birds overhead.
Driving tip: Start aurora nights well-rested; streamline pickup/return with Zero’s seamless process.

Packing advice: Warmer jacket back in the day bag; hat and gloves for evenings.
Best car types: Crossovers fine on coastal loops; AWD SUVs add stability in mixed conditions and winds.

October

Average temperatures (Reykjavík): high 7 °C / low 3 °C. (Time and Date)
Expected weather: Late-autumn pace. Shorter days, frequent rain, the first low-elevation snow. Many Highland/F-roads close.
Places to see:

East and South Coast for waterfalls in dramatic flow; use official car parks only.

Reykjavík design, food, and music events between weather windows.

Snæfellsnes lava fields and lighthouses in moody light.
Driving tip: Door-damage risk rises—open with two hands in gusts; if conditions spike, pivot plans (the freedom of an Iceland car rental is your best tool).

Packing advice: Winter boots with grip, warm hat, waterproofs, thermos.
Best car types: AWD SUVs as default; families appreciate larger boots to keep luggage out of sight.

November

Average temperatures (Reykjavík): high 5 °C / low 0 °C. (Time and Date)
Expected weather: Wintry mood, short days, frequent wind, periodic snow/ice. Ice-cave tours typically start (with guides).
Places to see:

Reykjavík museums, cafés, and festive lighting; add thermal swims between showers.

South Coast on calm days; keep distances conservative and daylight-aware.

Early-season ice caves around Vatnajökull (drive times are long—monitor forecasts closely).
Driving tip: Night driving is slow; if you land late, pickup remains smooth via keyboxes with staff on site for help at Zero Car Rental.

Packing advice: Full winter kit, microspikes for city ice, compact scraper.
Best car types: AWD SUVs with good lights/heated features.

December

Average temperatures (Reykjavík): high 3 °C / low −1 °C. (Time and Date)
Expected weather: Festive lights, frequent snow/ice, and strong winds. Beautiful but demanding driving; plan very short stages.
Places to see:

Reykjavík holiday markets, concerts, and cozy cafés.

Blue-hour South Coast viewpoints on the calmest days; allow generous buffers.

Aurora watching from dark pull-outs near the city when skies clear.
Driving tip: Add “rest days” to absorb weather; lean on SafeTravel guidance and check Road.is before any rural drive.

Packing advice: January-level warmth plus hand warmers and a power bank.
Best car types: AWD SUVs. With Zero Car Rental’s zero-excess cover and 24/7 roadside assistance included, you can focus on safe choices rather than fine print.

Packing checklist by season

•  Winter and early spring. Insulated boots with grip, thermal base layers, warm mid-layer, windproof and waterproof jacket, warm hat, gloves, microspikes, headlamp, scraper, and a small blanket.
•  Shoulder seasons. Waterproof boots, breathable base layers, warm mid-layer, rain shell, beanie and gloves for evenings, sunglasses, and a thermos.
•  Summer. Hiking shoes, breathable layers, light insulated jacket for evenings, rain shell, eye mask if bright nights bother your sleep, and sunscreen.
•  For the car. Reusable water bottle, snacks, paper map backup, microfiber cloth for window fog, phone mount and charger, and high-visibility vest for roadside stops.

Choosing the right car for each season

Winter to early spring. AWD SUVs with ground clearance and winter-ready tires are the best match. Larger groups should size up for comfort and luggage security.

Late spring and shoulder months. Crossovers balance comfort and economy. AWD offers stability when a cold front returns. For long loops, pick a model with driver-assist features you like.

Summer. Most paved itineraries are fine with compact crossovers and midsize SUVs. If you will spend long days on gravel in the Westfjords or Eastfjords, choose a vehicle with a little more clearance and stable highway manners.

You can compare sizes, luggage capacity and drivetrains on Zero’s Fleet. Booking early for peak months secures your preferred class. Remember, Zero includes unlimited mileage, all-inclusive cover with zero excess for gravel, sand and ash, and 24/7 roadside assistance as standard. That makes it easier to say yes to detours without worrying about the odometer or the small print.

Road safety and etiquette in any month

Check forecasts and roads every driving day. Start with the Icelandic Met Office forecasts, then road conditions on Road.is. Plan fuel with foresight outside the capital area. Top up when you pass a town and avoid running below one-quarter in winter.

Drive patiently on gravel. Slow well before the surface changes and when passing oncoming cars to reduce stone spray. Use pull-outs for photos. On single-lane bridges, the first car on has priority and others wait.

Respect closures. Off-road driving is illegal and damages fragile moss that takes decades to recover. If a road is signed as closed, find another route. If wind warnings are high, change the plan. The freedom to pivot is what makes an Iceland car rental so valuable.

If you need help. With Zero, roadside assistance is included 24/7 and the KEF office is staffed even when you use keyboxes for pickup and drop-off. For the full rental process, see Zero’s seamless experience guide and read traveler feedback on Zero Reviews.

Sample itineraries by season

1.  Winter weekend based in Reykjavík. Use the city as a hub for short day trips. Blue Lagoon or Sky Lagoon, Golden Circle on a calm day, coastal drives near Reykjanes when wind is reasonable, and  aurora chasing on clear nights. For city logistics, use Zero’s Reykjavík guide.
2.  Spring shoulder season loop. Combine the South Coast with the Snæfellsnes Peninsula over a week. Keep a weather day to swap sections if a front arrives. Read Zero’s car selection advice  before you book.
3.  Peak summer Ring Road. Ten to fourteen days to circle the island with detours into the fjords. Book ahead, start days early, and keep a flexible final day for changes. For inspiration, study Zero’s two-week Ring Road and Westfjords plan.
4.  Autumn color chase. Base in the south for waterfalls and canyons, then move north if aurora forecasts improve. Keep driving days reasonable and build rest into the schedule. Read why pacing  your trip pays off in Zero’s best-decision guide.

Why choose Zero for weather-wise travel

•  Clarity. All-inclusive pricing with zero excess that covers gravel, sand and ash. No deposit surprises or confusing add-ons.
•  Support. 24/7 roadside help is included. At KEF, you can pick up and drop off via keybox any time and there is always staff on site if you need a hand.
•  Freedom. Unlimited mileage makes weather pivots easy. Change direction to chase clear skies or calmer winds without watching the odometer.
•  Choice. A diverse fleet of 4x4s, crossovers, EVs and hybrids. You match the car to your month and route on Zero’s Fleet.
•  Trust. Read real traveler experiences and response times during storms on Zero Reviews.

Final thoughts

Iceland’s weather changes fast, but it follows a monthly pattern that you can plan around. Choose the month that fits your style, pack for wind and rain any time of year, and keep your route flexible. An Iceland car rental gives you the freedom to pivot to better weather and quieter spots, especially when your rental includes simple cover, unlimited mileage and round-the-clock support. That is the experience Zero aims to deliver every month of the year.

If you want help choosing a car for your dates and itinerary, start with Zero Car Rental, browse the models on Zero’s Fleet and read what recent travelers say on Zero Reviews.