How Cold is Iceland in November Really? 

OOOOOlright! 

You’re coming to our little island and you’re wondering just how cold is Iceland in November? 

You’re not alone!  

And we’re here to tell you! 

So let’s get to it! 

The Quick Answer 

This is just a quick overview for those that just want the information right now! 

• Average temperatures: Highs ~4°C (39°F), lows ~-1°C (30°F). 

• Feels like: Colder due to wind, rain, and occasional snow. 

• Daylight: About 8 hours at the start, 5 hours by the end. 

• Weather: Unpredictable, expect rain, snow, sleet, wind, and storms. 

• Clothing: Dress in layers, thermals, fleece/wool, waterproof coat + boots. 

• Rental Tip: You don’t need to overpack; you can rent clothes in Iceland at IcelandCover. 

How Cold is Iceland in November? 

November isn’t the coldest month of the year, but it’s pretty damn cold! 

What will make it feel cold is the wind + rain. 

So as I mentioned above, the average highs ~4°C (39°F) and lows ~-1°C (30°F). 

But then we have 8 mps (17mph) and that will drop below 0 for sure. 

And because it isn’t technically freezing, it can rain…and it will!  

So it can feel like –3°C but also be raining!  

This is why you need highly water-resistant clothing all year round in Iceland. 

You can expect about 15 days of rain/snow. 

In November we can have both, but most likely, it’ll rain.  

And because we’re having shorter days, you can expect the sun to help you warm up. 

Weather warnings in Iceland 

Because we’re in winter now, weather warnings are more common. 

You should expect anywhere around 2-5 in November.  

I’d say it’s most likely 2-3 but it’s always best to prepare for the worst! 

We’ve got 3 types of warnings 

Yellow – be careful, but you might not have to cancel the day trip. Some roads might be closed 

Orange – don’t drive, roads will be closed, tours will be canceled. Best to stay in town 

Red – Very serious. Absolutely do not drive. Everything is canceled. Roads will be closed.  

A yellow warning is the most common one and it is very important that you don’t underestimate a yellow warning. 

Make use of road.is, vedur.is, safetrave.is (they also have an app) 

And this leads me to…. 

What to Wear in Iceland in November 

As I mentioned, wearing outdoor clothing that can handle a lot of water is super important. 

We’ve gone into more depth in this blog ‘What to wear for Iceland in November’ 

But here is a quick summary: 

• Base layer: Thermal underwear (wool/synthetic). 

• Mid layer: Fleece or wool sweater. 

• Outer layer: Winter parka + outdoor pants. 

• Accessories: Hat, gloves, neck gaiter, hand warmers. 

• Footwear: Waterproof insulated boots with grip. 

Wear one of each layer and you’ll be fine!  

If you’re prone to cold, wear two mid layers. 

And if you don’t own the clothes, you might want to save money and space in the bag and rent what you need! 

We at IcelandCover have everything you need to explore and enjoy Iceland. 

• Winter parka 

• Outdoor pants 

• Hiking boots 

• Gloves 

• Beanies 

• Hiking poles  

• Crampons 

•  

We’ve got easy pick up and return in Reykjavík.  

Whether you want it delivered or if you want to pick up the items at our store on Laugavegur  

Activities in November and How Cold They Feel 

Northern Lights 

Long dark nights.  

It can be cold and windy while you stand still for a long time. 

This is most likely the coldest time . 

Wear all the layers 

Glacier tours 

When you’re on a glacier hike you’re not protected from the elements. 

If the wind is strong, it can be very cold. 

I recommend wearing base layer + mid layer + winter parka + beanie, gloves + boots. 

You want to bring a backpack as well, so you can either have an extra mid layer ready to go, or put your own mid layer in there, and just wear thermals.  

This really depends on the weather of course. 

City exploring 

While visiting museum, going on a food tour (this is the best food tour in Reykjavík), the weather can be all over the place! 

But you’ll be walking in and out. 

So for this, I recommend wearing a winter parka, and a single layer underneath.  

Regular pants can be alright, though not if it’s raining or super windy. 

And even though you’re in the city, you want to be wearing your boots. 

Driving & Safety in November 

The roads will be icy if you go up north and in the evenigs/mornings.  

Daylight is short and driving in the dark in the middle of nowhere can be diffcult.  

Make sure to check road conditions on road.is 

Weather conditions on vedur.is 

And general safety warnings on safetravel.is 

For some, a guided tour is the better option. 

And that’s it! 

I hope you have a better understanding of how cold Iceland is in November. 

FAQ – How Cold is Iceland in November? 

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

 A: Around 4°C (39°F) high and -1°C (30°F) low, but it feels colder with wind and rain. 

Q: Does it snow in November in Iceland? 

 A: Yes, especially later in the month and in northern/inland regions, but rain and sleet are also common. 

Q: How many hours of daylight are there? 

 A: About 8 hours at the start of the month, dropping to 5 by the end. 

Q: What should I wear in Iceland in November? 

 A: Base thermals, mid fleece/wool, waterproof coat, insulated boots, and warm accessories. 

Q: Can I rent winter clothes in Iceland? 

 A: Yes, IcelandCover offers rentals for coats, pants, boots, and accessories so you don’t have to overpack. 

Q: Is November a good time to see the Northern Lights? 

 A: Absolutely, long dark nights give you excellent chances, as long as skies are clear.