Iceland · April
Low seasonIceland · Europe
Climate Overview
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ø day, ↑ warmestØ day↑ warmest | 3° (37°)8° (46°) | 4° (39°)8° (46°) | 4° (39°)8° (46°) | 7° (45°)11° (52°) | 9° (48°)13° (55°) | 12° (54°)15° (59°) | 14° (57°)19° (66°) | 13° (55°)17° (63°) | 11° (52°)13° (55°) | 7° (45°)11° (52°) | 5° (41°)9° (48°) | 3° (37°)8° (46°) |
Ø night, ↓ coldestØ night↓ coldest | -1° (30°)-8° (18°) | 0° (32°)-7° (19°) | 0° (32°)-7° (19°) | 2° (36°)-4° (25°) | 4° (39°)0° (32°) | 8° (46°)4° (39°) | 9° (48°)6° (43°) | 9° (48°)5° (41°) | 7° (45°)2° (36°) | 3° (37°)-2° (28°) | 1° (34°)-5° (23°) | -1° (30°)-8° (18°) |
☀️Sunshine | 1h UV 0 | 3h UV 1 | 5h UV 3 | 7h UV 4 | 9h UV 5 | 8h UV 5 | 8h UV 5 | 7h UV 4 | 5h UV 3 | 4h UV 2 | 2h UV 1 | 1h UV 0 |
🌊Water Temp | 5° (41°) | 5° (41°) | 5° (41°) | 6° (43°) | 8° (46°) | 10° (50°) | 12° (54°) | 12° (54°) | 11° (52°) | 9° (48°) | 7° (45°) | 6° (43°) |
🌧Rain Days | 14d106mm (4.2") | 12d91mm (3.6") | 12d91mm (3.6") | 10d79mm (3.1") | 10d70mm (2.8") | 7d52mm (2.1") | 8d57mm (2.2") | 9d80mm (3.1") | 14d124mm (4.9") | 14d120mm (4.7") | 12d98mm (3.8") | 13d100mm (3.9") |
Best travel time current monthØ = average · ↑ warmest day · ↓ coldest nightClimate data 2005–2025 · Source: ERA5 + station data
Still off-season — flights and hotels significantly cheaper than in May.
April in Iceland is on the cool side — with highs around 7°C (45°F) it's less suited for a beach holiday, but good for sightseeing away from the high season.
Temperatures reach a maximum of 7°C (45°F) during the day and drop to 2°C (36°F) at night — warm layers recommended. Peaks reach around 11°C (52°F), the coldest nights around -4°C (25°F) — frost does occur. The sun shines an average of 7 hours per day; there are 10 rain days with 79 mm (3.1 in) total. At 6°C (43°F), the water is still quite cool in April — a wetsuit may be useful.
Pack warm clothing and sturdy footwear. Cool temperatures make hiking and cultural trips enjoyable — beaches are off the agenda.
The crossover: still northern lights, but already long days, and from March the sunshine jumps to five or six hours. The waterfalls run with meltwater; the highland tracks remain shut.
Packing list for Iceland in April
- Winter coat
- Thermal clothing and warm layers
- Hat, scarf and gloves
- Warm, waterproof shoes
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Light umbrella or rain poncho
- Travel first-aid kit
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is April a good time to visit Iceland?
- April is not an optimal month for Iceland (Score: 43/100), but it is manageable. For better conditions, consider May, June, July, August, and September.
- How warm is it in Iceland in April?
- In April, Iceland sees daily highs of 7°C (45°F). Nights cool to 2°C (36°F), with a daily average of 4°C (39°F). Peaks reach around 11°C (52°F), the coldest nights around -4°C (25°F) — frost does occur.
- How much rain falls in Iceland in April?
- In April, Iceland receives an average of 79 mm (3.1 in) of rain over 10 rain days. An umbrella may occasionally be needed.
- How many sunshine hours does Iceland get in April?
- Iceland averages 7 sunshine hours per day in April — above the annual average.
- How warm is the water in Iceland in April?
- Water temperature in Iceland in April averages 6°C (43°F) — still quite cool — a wetsuit may be useful.
