November weather guide

Iceland weather in November

Worst weather + Iceland Airwaves festival

Score25Tough
Typical day5°C41°F · low 0°C
Rain & sun87mm1.3 hrs sun/day
Aurora borealis over Iceland — vibrant green and blue lights dancing across a star-filled night sky
By
Institutional byline · Updated

What the weather is like in November

Avg high
5°C
41°F
Avg low
0°C
32°F
Rainfall
87mm
off-peak
Sun / day
1.3 hrs

November is one of the hardest-weather months (with December and January) — short days (5 hours of daylight by month-end), unpredictable storms, frequent road closures, and aurora often blocked by cloud. The exception is Iceland Airwaves (early November) — Reykjavík's music festival is a major draw.

Against October, November runs 3°C cooler with much the same rainfall and 1.7 hours less sun a day.

These November averages are station normals for Reykjavik (Icelandic Met Office / NOAA, via Wikipedia, 1991-2020); other parts of Iceland vary. Full sources below.

Iceland in November, on the ground

November is the start of real winter in Iceland. Reykjavík gets about eight hours of daylight at the start of the month and about five by the end, and the long nights make it a strong month for northern lights when the sky is clear. Snow and ice become more common on the roads.

Crowds and prices in November

November is one of Iceland’s quieter months, and hotels and car rentals drop toward their low-season rates. Tours run on a reduced schedule, especially in the highlands, which are closed.

What to do in November

  • Drive the south coast to Vík and the black-sand beach at Reynisfjara, keeping well back from the waves.
  • Book a northern lights tour, and pick a guide who chases clear skies rather than driving a fixed route.
  • Visit the ice caves in the Vatnajökull glacier area, whose season usually starts in November.

Before you book: Weather closes roads at short notice; check the official road and weather sites every morning before driving.

What to pack for Iceland in November

  • Serious winter layers & an insulated coat
  • Hat, gloves and thermal base layers

What's on in November

  • Iceland Airwaves (Reykjavík) — Iceland's biggest music festival, early November. Five days of indie/electronic/Icelandic music in venues across Reykjavík. Major draw for visitors during what would otherwise be one of the worst-weather months.

Is November the right month?

November is Iceland's toughest month; the best, July, is four months before November. If your dates can move, August is the nearest best-season month. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Iceland, or where else to go in November.

Where to stay in November

November is Iceland's toughest month. Choose a base that still works in bad weather, and book a rate you can cancel.

  • Reykjavík (city center)$$$
    Base for Golden Circle + day trips, restaurantsThe natural starting and ending point. Walking distance to Hallgrímskirkja, Harpa, the harbor, and most restaurants. Most aurora day-trips depart from Reykjavík hotels.See hotels in Reykjavík for 17–23 Nov 2026
  • South Coast (Vík / Hella / Hvolsvöllur)$$
    Ring Road segment, Seljalandsfoss/Skógafoss baseMid-route stop for Ring Road travelers. Vík has the famous Reynisfjara black sand beach. Smaller villages but well-equipped guesthouses and a few standout hotels.See hotels in Iceland for 17–23 Nov 2026
  • Akureyri (North Iceland)$$
    Mývatn aurora, north Ring Road, less-visited Iceland"Capital of the north" — second-largest town in Iceland, excellent base for Mývatn (Iceland's aurora hot spot, less light pollution than the south) and the Diamond Circle.See hotels in Iceland for 17–23 Nov 2026
  • Höfn (Southeast)$$
    Vatnajökull glacier, Diamond Beach, JökulsárlónSmall fishing town that's the launching point for the Vatnajökull glacier and Diamond Beach. Famous for langoustine. Limited accommodation — book ahead.See hotels in Iceland for 17–23 Nov 2026

Links open a hotel search for 17–23 Nov 2026; you can change the dates there. We may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.

Before you go

Book the rest of your November trip

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Frequently asked questions

Is November a good time to visit Iceland?
November scores 25/100 on the Atlas Ranger Score — "Tough" — which blends weather with crowds and price. November is Iceland's toughest month. Go in with clear expectations, or shift to July if you can.
How warm is Iceland in November?
Expect daytime highs around 5°C (41°F) and overnight lows near 0°C (32°F), with about 1.3 hours of sun a day.
Does it rain in Iceland in November?
November sees roughly 87mm of rain — moderate rainfall; a packable rain layer helps.
What should I pack for Iceland in November?
For November, pack: Serious winter layers & an insulated coat; Hat, gloves and thermal base layers.
Is it worth visiting Iceland in November at all?
November is the toughest month, but it is also the quietest and usually the cheapest. If your dates are fixed, pick a base that still works in poor weather and book a rate you can cancel. If they are not, July is the month to aim for.

Sources: Visit Iceland (Official tourism) · Icelandic Met Office / NOAA: Reykjavik, 1991-2020 · Veðurstofa Íslands (Icelandic Met Office) + road.is · U.S. State Department Iceland Travel Advisory · NOAA Space Weather Prediction Center. Full provenance on the Iceland guide.

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