How cold is Iceland in April?

If you’re coming to Iceland in April and you’er wondering who cold it is, then you’re in the right place! 

In this article I’ll go over; 

• The weather and temperature 

• Daylight 

• What to wear 

• End with a few FAQ’s 

So let’s get to it! 

TL;DR 

• 🌡️ Average temperature: 1°C to 7°C (33°F–45°F) 

• 💨 Wind: Still chilly and strong — can make 7°C feel close to 0°C 

• 🌧️ Rain & snow: Expect both! Around 18 days of rain or sleet this month 

• 🌤️ Daylight: 13–17 hours — finally feeling like spring 

• 🧥 What to wear: Thermals, fleece or wool mid layer, waterproof and windproof jacket, and boots 

• 🧳 Don’t want to pack all that? You can rent outdoor clothes in Reykjavík with IcelandCover and travel light. 

How Cold is Iceland in April 

April is all over the place for sure. 

Sometimes, summer can arrive early. But most of the times the month will start off a bit cold since we’re just coming out of winter. 

You can definitely expect Four Seasons in a single day. 

And if you’re up north then you can still expect a bit of snow. 

However, in the South it’ll most likely be wet. 

And here is the average temperature. 

• Reykjavík & south: highs around 6–7°C (43–45°F) and lows near 1°C (33°F). 

• North & inland: often colder, nighttime temps can drop below freezing. 

Temperature in Iceland: Wind, Rain & “Feels Like” Cold 

💨 The Wind 

Now the reason why Iceland is cold is because of the humidity and the wind. 

So it’s very important that you factor in the wind chill when looking at the temperature. 

And don’t be surprised if some evenings will go to 0 or below. 

Average wind speed in April is around 11–13 mph, but it can be much higher on the coast or open plains. 

• You’ll feel the chill most when sightseeing near waterfalls or beaches, where wind mixes with mist and spray. 

🌧️ The Rain (and Snow) 

Now it’ll definitely rain in April. But it’s not going to rain every day. 

You can expect sleet, hail and rain up north. While in the South it will just be regular old rain. 

🧊 How It Feels 

Now here is where a lot of people get caught off guard.  

So let me give you an example. 

Let’s say that the temperature is 5°C and the wind speed is around 7 meters per second. 

Cloudy conditions but not raining and not sunny. 

On a day like this, it’ll definitely feel closer to 0°C because of the wind and the lack of direct sunlight. 

And I would say that this is a fairly typical Icelandic day in April. 

Now it can of course be warmer and it can also be colder. This really depends on where you are in Iceland and how lucky you are. 

Daylight & Conditions 

Now another thing to keep in mind is the daylight. 

We’re finally getting longer days. 

So in early April you can expect around 13 hours of daylight, while in late April it’s going to be around 17 hours. 

This means that you’re going to have more time to explore and you don’t have to factor in the darkness as you have to in the winter time. 

Highland roads are still closed, but they’ll probably open up in June or late June While other roads are open most likely. 

Always make sure to check out these following websites before travelling. 

vedur.is (weather) and road.is (road conditions) before heading out, safetrave.is (general safety) 

What to Wear in Iceland in April 

Now, even though we’re heading out a winter, it’s important that you come prepared for the Icelandic weather. 

And the key, as always, is to dress in layers. 

Here is what I recommend that you wear for April. 

Base Layer (closest to skin) 

• Thermal top and leggings, merino wool or synthetic works best. 

• No cotton, it holds moisture and makes you cold. 

• Wool socks are essential (bring extras). 

Mid Layer (insulation) 

• Fleece or wool sweater. 

• Light down for colder days. 

• Fleece-lined pants if you run cold. 

Outer Layer (protection) 

• A winter parka, or a shell? 

• Shell pants for the rain and wind. 

• Breathable fabrics will help when you’re moving around. 

Accessories 

• Mid or high top hiking boots that can handle a lot of rain. 

• You might still need crampons, however it is unlikely in the South. 

• Hat, gloves, and a neck gaiter for windy days. 

• Sunglasses, the light reflecting off wet or snowy surfaces can be surprisingly bright. 

Rent Clothes in Iceland 

And if you don’t own the outdoor clothes that you need to stay warm in Iceland, you can rent everything you need at icelandcover.com. 

So save money and space in the bag and rent quality outdoor clothes for the Icelandic weather. 

Here’s what we offer: 

• Winter parka 

• Shell 

• Pants 

• hiking boots 

• Beanie 

• Gloves 

• Crampons 

• and everything else that you need to stay warm in Iceland. 

Why rent? 

✅ Save luggage space 

✅ Avoid buying expensive gear you’ll rarely use 

✅ Get Iceland-tested clothing made for local weather 

✅ Easy pickup or return in Reykjavík 

And that’s it! 

I hope you have a better understanding of how cold Iceland is in April and that you’re prepared for it. 

FAQ – How Cold is Iceland in April? 

Q: What’s the average temperature in April in Iceland? 

A: Between 1°C and 7°C (33°F–45°F), but it can feel colder with wind chill. 

Q: Does it snow in April? 

A: Yes, especially in the north and higher elevations. In Reykjavík, snow is possible early in the month but usually turns to rain later. 

Q: How windy is it? 

A: Fairly windy, average speeds around 11–13 mph, with stronger gusts on open plains and coasts. 

Q: Does it rain a lot? 

A: Around 18 rainy or sleety days per month, but often just light showers. 

Q: What should I pack? 

A: Thermals, fleece/wool layers, waterproof outerwear, and waterproof boots. Don’t forget gloves, and a beanie. 

Q: Can I rent outdoor clothes in Iceland? 

A: Absolutely. IcelandCover offers winter jackets, boots, pants, and accessories for rent, perfect if you don’t want to buy or pack bulky gear. 

A: Absolutely. IcelandCover offers winter jackets, boots, pants, and accessories for rent, perfect if you don’t want to buy or pack bulky gear.