Iceland Climate – June 2026 Update
Top 5 Cities: Reykjavík, Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður, Akureyri, and Reykjanesbær
This month in numbers
Iceland experienced its 43rd warmest June on record, with an average temperature of 5.67°C, an anomaly of +0.6°C compared to the 1961–1990 baseline. More notably, the April–June 2026 period ranked as the 2nd warmest on record for Iceland, with an average temperature of 4.6°C, a significant +3°C anomaly against the baseline. This comes as global land temperatures for June 2026 also ranked as the 3rd warmest on record, and the April–June 2026 period globally was the 2nd warmest on record.
What changed
The past three months have seen Iceland experiencing exceptionally warm conditions, ranking as the 2nd warmest April–June period in 86 years of records. This regional warming trend is occurring against a backdrop of significant global warming, with global land temperatures also registering near-record highs for both the month of June and the April–June period. While much of Western Europe experienced its warmest June on record, Iceland, along with Ireland and the UK, was noted as being wetter than average.
What’s driving change?
The current climate pattern in Iceland is influenced by a combination of factors, including the ongoing weak El Niño event, which is forecast to strengthen in the coming months. While El Niño typically brings cooler conditions to Northern Europe in winter, its influence can vary. The broader trend of means that high northern latitudes, including Iceland, are warming at a faster rate than the global average. Additionally, the world's oceans are experiencing unprecedented heat, which can influence weather patterns globally and contribute to more intense heat, drought, floods, and storms.
Looking ahead
The strengthening El Niño is expected to continue into the autumn and winter months, which could bring a tendency for cooler late winters to Northern Europe, though very strong El Niños have historically flipped this to warmer winters.
Sources:
Generated by Gemini from climate data and web sources
At a Glance
Temperature – Average
Year-on-Year Trends
The 4byo Climate Helix – Iceland
Data: Our World in Data / NOAA (rainfall: World Bank CCKP / CRU TS 4.08). Baseline: first 30 yrs on record. Recent: last 10 yrs on record.
Iceland – Monthly Temperature – All Years
Data: Our World in Data / NOAA (rainfall: World Bank CCKP / CRU TS 4.08). Baseline: first 30 yrs on record. Recent: last 10 yrs on record.
Records – Iceland
Our World in Data / NOAA - Anomalies vs 1901-2000 mean
Shifting Seasons
Warm / cold seasonsKöppen ET · PolarHow spring and autumn have shifted in Iceland. Spring is defined as the date monthly temperatures first rise above the long-term annual mean (-0.2°C, from 1940–1969); autumn is the date they fall back below it. Temperature swings 12.8°C peak-to-peak across the year - a classic four-seasons rhythm.
Baseline vs recent monthly temperature climatology. Biggest warming: Feb (+3.1°C).
Data: Our World in Data / NOAA (rainfall: World Bank CCKP / CRU TS 4.08). Baseline: first 30 yrs on record. Recent: last 10 yrs on record.
Rainfall & Precipitation
Rainfall & Rain Days – Totals
Headline: anomaly vs the 1961–1990 mean. Small figure: the actual value. Rank: position in the full record (1st = highest ever). Record: highest (or lowest) value on record with its year.
Emissions & Energy
Explore
Explore Climate Data
Data Sources
Data Sources for Iceland
Every figure on this page is sourced from official, openly published climate datasets. Anomalies are calculated against the 1961–1990 baseline (temperature) and 1991–2020 (rainfall, sunshine, frost) - see the Methodology & Sources page for the complete dataset list and update calendar.
FAQs
FAQs
How is the climate in Iceland changing?
Iceland is warming in line with the rest of the world. The page above shows the latest monthly temperature anomaly versus the 1961-1990 baseline, the long-term annual trend, and the region's rank in the historical record. The headline panel also shows the long-term trend rate per decade and the warmest and coolest years on file.
Where does the climate data for Iceland come from?
Climate data for Iceland comes from Our World in Data, sourcing Copernicus ERA5 and HadCRUT5 (national temperature anomaly) and the Global Carbon Project via Our World in Data (CO₂ emissions), refreshed every month, when the upstream temperature and rainfall data are refreshed.
What is the climate baseline used on this page?
Anomalies on this page are calculated against the 1961-1990 climatological baseline, which is the standard reference period used by the Met Office, NOAA, IPCC and most national climate services. Some panels also show the source-native 1901-2000 (NOAA) or 1991-2020 (WMO) baselines for verification. See Methodology & Sources for the full reference.
Which areas does the Iceland climate data cover?
The Iceland climate profile covers Reykjavík, Kópavogur, Hafnarfjörður, Akureyri and surrounding areas. Temperature, rainfall and emissions data for Iceland
How often is the Iceland climate update refreshed?
The Iceland climate update is refreshed monthly, typically a few days after the previous month closes and the upstream provider (Met Office HadUK-Grid, NOAA Climate at a Glance, Copernicus ERA5 or the Global Carbon Project) publishes its update. See the Climate Rankings for cross-region comparisons.