A Comprehensive Overview of Iceland’s 2023 Weather
February 26, 2024
As we look back on the weather patterns of 2023, a nuanced picture emerges—a year marked by atypical trends and surprising extremes. While the conditions generally leaned towards the favorable side, with calm and predominantly dry days, there was a notable coolness compared to recent years. The nationwide average temperature was recorded at 0.1°C lower than the mean from 1991 to 2020, and 0.4°C lower than the average of the past decade.
Geographically, the contrasts were evident: the North experienced the coldest conditions, while the Southwest and Southern coasts enjoyed milder temperatures. January and March particularly stood out for their chill, while June broke records for warmth in the North and East, heralding the warmest June ever recorded in several regions.
Precipitation throughout the year also told an interesting story. Overall, 2023 was drier than average across much of the country, punctuated by several arid spells in March and July. Yet, these dry periods were interspersed with bouts of heavy rainfall, particularly in May and June, which brought gloomier weather to the southern and western parts of the nation.
A Bitterly Cold Winter
The winter of 2022-2023 will be remembered for its unusual harshness. From December 7 to January 19, an uninterrupted cold spell settled over the country. In particular, the Southwest felt the brunt of this frigid air, with Reykjavík experiencing its coldest winter in six weeks since 1918. During this time, atmospheric pressure soared while winds were gentle, contributing to the unusually bright but frigid conditions.
As January transitioned into February, we witnessed a shift towards milder, changeable weather. However, March ushered in yet another cold spell, with consistent chill gripping the Northeast and East. While the Southwest basked in sunny skies, the North and East faced substantial snowfall, leading to avalanches in the Eastfjords by March’s end, notably inflicting damage in Neskaupstaður.
Contrasting Seasons: Spring to Autumn
Spring arrived with moderate temperatures, interrupted only by a brief cold snap at the tail end of April. The North enjoyed dry and sunny conditions, while the South faced persistent rain. A notably wet May and June led to severe south-southwesterly storms in late May, leaving an imprint of damaged vegetation visible into summer.
The summer months presented a striking dichotomy. June brought unprecedented warmth to the North and East, with Akureyri and Egilsstaðir recording their warmest June ever. Conversely, July featured prevailing northerly winds and cooler temperatures in the North and East, while the Southwest basked in dry, sunny conditions—the driest July on record in many locations. August maintained a relatively warm trend, leading into a cooler and wetter September.
Autumn proceeded with mild weather and light snow cover, particularly warm in the South but chillier in the North. As December approached, temperatures dipped again, confirming the cold pattern established earlier in the year.
Temperature Trends
In Reykjavík, the mean annual temperature for 2023 was recorded at 5.0°C—just slightly below the averages established from 1991 to 2020 and the past decade. Across the island, similar trends in temperature were noted: Stykkishólmur’s average was 4.3°C, while Akureyri reported 4.0°C. Interestingly, Stórhöfði in Vestmannaeyjar was an outlier, showing an average of 5.7°C, marking a notable deviation above historical averages.
Notably, the year’s highest temperature—27.5°C—was documented at Egilsstaðir Airport on June 17th. In contrast, the chilling depths of winter brought the year’s lowest temperature of -26.2°C at Veiðivatnahraun on December 22nd.
Precipitation Patterns
Throughout 2023, precipitation remained below average nationwide, yet not without its pockets of heavy rainfall. Particularly dry spells were recorded in areas such as southwestern Iceland during January, while March experienced its lowest rainfall totals in decades—Reykjavík alone accumulated a mere 5.0 mm, marking the second driest March on record.
Summer saw unusual dryness, especially in July across the southern and western regions, with astonishingly low totals documented. Despite these dry months, May and June offset the overall dryness with significantly above-average rainfall, leading to one of the wettest periods for those months in history.
September introduced a dramatic turn with heavy rains, especially in the North. Flooding and landslides were reported alongside record precipitation in some areas, particularly in the Eastfjords.
Snow and Sunshine
The year reflected relatively light snowfall conditions. In Reykjavík, snow blanketed the ground for just 46 days, nine fewer than the average from 1991 to 2020. Meanwhile, in Akureyri, the snow-covered days decreased by 26 to a total of 69 days.
In terms of sunshine, Reykjavík basked in 1,495.3 hours of bright light during 2023, surpassing the 1991 to 2020 average by 127 hours. March, in particular, stood out as the second sunniest on record for the month.
Concluding Thoughts
While 2023 presented Iceland with its share of weather challenges, it also showcased the island’s resilience. Fluctuations in temperature and precipitation have painted an intriguing portrait of a year in flux, promising further insights into our changing climate. As we move forward, let us continue to observe, learn, and adapt to the evolving landscape of Icelandic weather.