Honestly, if you're looking at the temperature in Reykjavik now, you might be a little surprised. It is currently 30°F out there. Right now. In the middle of the night on Friday, January 16, 2026.
That might sound like a deep freeze if you're coming from Florida, but for a city literally touching the edge of the Arctic Circle, it’s actually kind of... mild? People expect Iceland to be this impenetrable block of ice where your eyelashes freeze together the second you step off the plane.
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But it’s not quite like that.
The Reality of the Temperature in Reykjavik Now
The air is currently partly cloudy, and while the thermometer says 30°F, the "feels like" temperature is dragging down to 23°F. That’s the real kicker. That's the part that gets you.
We’ve got a northeast wind blowing at about 7 mph. It’s not a gale, but in this humidity—which is sitting at a whopping 92%—that damp cold just finds the gaps in your coat. It’s a sneaky kind of cold.
If you’re walking down Laugavegur tonight, you’re basically moving through a giant, refrigerated sponge.
Quick Specs for Right Now:
- Exact Temp: 30°F
- Wind Chill: 23°F
- Wind: 7 mph from the Northeast
- Humidity: 92% (Dress for damp!)
- Precipitation: Only a 5% chance of snow right this second.
Why It Isn't Colder (The North Atlantic Secret)
You’ve probably heard of the Gulf Stream. Well, the North Atlantic Current is the only reason Reykjavik isn't a permanent ice sheet. It brings all that relatively "warm" water up from the south.
Compare this to somewhere like Winnipeg or even parts of New York in January. It’s often colder in the American Midwest than it is in the Icelandic capital. The ocean acts like a big, liquid space heater. It keeps the spikes from getting too extreme, but it also means the air is constantly moist.
That moisture is why 30°F in Reykjavik feels way more intense than 20°F in a dry desert climate.
What’s Coming in the Next Few Days?
If you think tonight is crisp, wait for the weekend. We're looking at a high of 33°F today (Friday) with some "partly sunny" intervals—though "sunny" is a generous term for the four or five hours of light we actually get this time of year.
Tomorrow, Saturday the 17th, the mercury is going to jump up to 43°F.
That’s a huge swing.
But don't get excited and leave the parka at home. That warmth is bringing a southeast wind that’s going to hit 21 mph. And rain. A lot of it. By Sunday, we’re looking at a 70% chance of rain during the day, turning into snow showers at night.
Basically, the weather here has commitment issues. It can't decide if it wants to be a winter wonderland or a rainy Tuesday in Seattle.
How to Actually Dress for This
Stop thinking about "cold" and start thinking about "waterproof."
I’ve seen tourists show up in these massive, heavy wool coats that look great in photos. Five minutes into a Reykjavik sleet storm, those coats weigh 50 pounds and stay wet for three days.
- The Base: Merino wool. Synthetic is fine, but wool doesn't smell and stays warm even if you get a little sweaty walking up the Hallgrímskirkja hill.
- The Middle: A fleece or a "puffy" down jacket.
- The Shell: This is the most important part. It has to be windproof and waterproof. If the wind can’t get through, the 23°F wind chill doesn't matter nearly as much.
- The Feet: Gore-Tex boots. The sidewalks in Reykjavik can be a slushy disaster.
The "Solar Maximum" Perk
Since it’s January 2026, we are in a peak solar cycle. Even though the temperature in Reykjavik now is hovering around freezing, the dark nights are your best friend.
Clear skies (like we have a bit of tonight) mean the Northern Lights are going crazy. The cold air is actually better for viewing because it tends to be clearer. Just head out toward the Seltjarnarnes lighthouse to get away from the streetlights.
Your Actionable Survival Plan
If you are in the city right now or arriving tomorrow:
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- Check the wind, not just the temp. A 38°F day with 30 mph winds is deadlier than a 25°F day that's calm.
- Download the SafeTravel.is app. Seriously. If a storm rolls in while you're driving to the South Coast, you need those alerts.
- Hit the pools. When the air is 30°F, sitting in a 104°F public hot tub (like Vesturbæjarlaug) is the most Icelandic thing you can do. It’s cheap, and it’s how locals survive the winter.
- Watch your car doors. When the wind kicks up to that 20+ mph range tomorrow, hold onto your door when you open it. The wind here is famous for catching doors and bending the hinges backward. Rental insurance usually doesn't cover that.
The temperature in Reykjavik now is just a number. The wind and the damp are the real characters in this story. Dress like an onion, stay dry, and keep your eyes on the sky.