Iceland Weather in August
August is slightly cooler than July in the Reykjavík normals, with a higher monthly precipitation total. It is useful to compare your actual travel week, not treat the whole month as one set of conditions.
August compared with the adjacent months
| Month | Average daily maximum | Average daily minimum | Monthly precipitation |
|---|---|---|---|
| July | 14.9°C | 9.1°C | 49.9 mm |
| August | 14.1°C | 8.6°C | 64.5 mm |
| September | 11.4°C | 6.2°C | 87.0 mm |
Source: WMO normals archived by NOAA (CSV), checked September 10, 2026. Temperatures are averages of daily highs and lows, not extremes. Precipitation is a monthly total, not the number of rainy days. This Reykjavík station does not represent every region or elevation.
Late summer and changing evening light
If your plans depend on evening photography, check sunset for the dates and location you will visit. An early-August schedule does not fit the end of the month without adjustment.
A possible late-summer aurora sighting should be a bonus, not the only reason for the trip. Check darkness and clouds for your evening. For a wildlife outing or festival, verify its own current schedule rather than a fixed date copied from a previous year.
What to keep within reach
Keep waterproof layers and a warm top in reach for outdoor evenings. Reserve time to dry wet clothing before the next day instead of counting on the car heater to handle everything.
Check the conditions for your day
- IMO weather forecasts: choose the region and forecast time.
- Road conditions and SafeTravel alerts: check the actual route and destination before departure.
- IMO aurora page: darkness and cloud cover matter alongside activity. Its sun-time panel is for Reykjavík.
For the wider comparison, see Iceland’s climate, July and September.
Planning help
August weather questions
Quick answers with safety notes where it matters.
How cold is Iceland in August?
Reykjavík’s 1991–2020 average daily maximum is 14.1°C and average daily minimum 8.6°C. These station normals describe historical averages, not the full range of possible temperatures or a forecast for all Iceland.
Is this a forecast for August 2026?
No. The table uses 1991–2020 climate normals. Check the Icelandic Meteorological Office forecast for the actual place and dates of your trip.
For monthly temperature and rainfall averages, explore the climate data in our Iceland statistics.