Reykjavík in September

In September, Reykjavík averages 10°C (50°F) during the day and 6°C (43°F) at night, with around 11 days of rain (70 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

September in Reykjavík is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

10°C
Avg high
6°C
Avg low
11
Rain days
70 mm
Rainfall

How September compares to the rest of the year in Reykjavík

4th
warmest month of the 12
9th
wettest month of the 12
9%
of yearly rainfall falls in September
13 h 6 min
daylight on the 15th

September is in the middle of the year for warmth in Reykjavík (4th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (9th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 3°C above the annual average (7°C). September runs 3°C cooler than August (13°C) and cools 3°C in October (7°C).

September sunrise & sunset in Reykjavík

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
6:50 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
7:56 PM
Day length
13 h 6 min

Times shown for Reykjavík local time (Atlantic/Reykjavik), calculated for the 15th of September. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Reykjavík — September

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of September, in Reykjavík's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
5:50 AM – 6:30 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:30 AM – 7:30 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
7:16 PM – 8:16 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
8:16 PM – 8:56 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.
Aurora visibility
Good
Reykjavík is auroral-friendly this month; check 3-day Kp forecasts and head somewhere dark when activity spikes.

📅 When to book — Reykjavík in September

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on September's tier (Shoulder) and Reykjavík's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — September in Reykjavík

Shoulder

Reykjavík is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Sun & mosquito risk — September in Reykjavík

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
4.9
Moderate
Use SPF 15-30 for prolonged outdoor exposure; sunglasses recommended at peak hours.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●○○○○
Minimal
Occasional mosquitoes possible near standing water. Repellent rarely needed.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Sea temperature in Reykjavík — September

10.3°C (51°F)
very cold
thick wetsuit; tolerable only for short dips

Across the year Reykjavík's sea swings from 1.9°C (January) to 12.4°C (August) — September sits at 10.3°C.

Reykjavík in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 2°C / 36°F -2°C / 28°F 75 mm 14 8
February 3°C / 37°F -2°C / 28°F 70 mm 13 7
March 4°C / 39°F -1°C / 30°F 80 mm 13 6
April 6°C / 43°F 1°C / 34°F 60 mm 12 3
May 9°C / 48°F 4°C / 39°F 45 mm 10 1
June 12°C / 54°F 7°C / 45°F 55 mm 10 0
July 14°C / 57°F 9°C / 48°F 50 mm 10 0
August 13°C / 55°F 9°C / 48°F 60 mm 11 0
September 10°C / 50°F 6°C / 43°F 70 mm 11 0
October 7°C / 45°F 3°C / 37°F 95 mm 14 1
November 4°C / 39°F 0°C / 32°F 80 mm 13 4
December 3°C / 37°F -1°C / 30°F 80 mm 14 7

Other cities with similar September weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Reykjavík in September →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Reykjavík in September?

In September, Reykjavík averages a high of 10°C (50°F) and a low of 6°C (43°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Reykjavík in September?

September can be fairly wet in Reykjavík, with about 11 rainy days on average.

Is September a good time to visit Reykjavík?

September is cool. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Reykjavík in September?

Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full September packing list for Reykjavík for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Reykjavík on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.