What November feels like in Reykjavik
Late autumn arrives in Reykjavik with November. Midday brings little warmth — expect coat-and-scarf weather from morning to evening. The gap between afternoon and night is small, so nights hover around freezing, so frost is common and the temperature hardly changes after dark. Damp air makes the cold feel rawer than the numbers alone suggest.
Rain in Reykjavik in November
Dry days are the exception, with rain on about every other day. A rainy day brings about 7.4 mm (0.3 in) on average — steady rain rather than a passing shower. The yearly figure is similar, around 7.2 mm per wet day.
Daylight and sunshine in November
On 15 November the sun rises at about 9:54 am and sets around 4:31 pm local time, giving 6 h 37 min of daylight. Compared with mid-October, the day has lost 3 h 20 min. Measured sunshine covers about 36% of the daylight — skies are often cloudy.
How November compares to the rest of the year
November is the 5th coolest month of the year in Reykjavik. Compared with October, afternoons are 2.8°C (5°F) cooler, with 24 mm less rain. December is cooler again. The next month's average high: 1.5°C (34.7°F).
Who November suits
- Sightseeing: less ideal — rain falls on more than half the days.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Beach: less ideal — the sea air is too cool.
- Hiking: less ideal — trails are cool.
- Museums & indoor: a good choice — with rain on most days, galleries and museums make easy plans.
Tips for visiting Reykjavik in November
Rain Protection
Keep a small umbrella in your bag and wear shoes that cope with puddles.
Warm Layers
A warm jacket, a hat and gloves for cold mornings and evenings.
Quick questions
How warm is Reykjavik in November?
It feels cold: typical highs are 3.6°C (38.5°F), with lows near -0.2°C (31.6°F).
Does it rain a lot in Reykjavik in November?
Quite a lot — 119 mm spread over about 16 days.
What should I wear in Reykjavik in November?
Based on the averages: rain protection and warm layers. Evenings feel similar to the day, so the same clothes work from morning to night.
Is November or December better for visiting Reykjavik?
November scores better on our climate ranking (#10 of 12 vs #11), rated Poor against Poor. December is cooler and has more rainy days.