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When we talk about Iceland, many of us quickly imagine great landscapes, lakes, ice and icebergs. And that is precisely what we will find if we go to the Jökulsárlón lagoon. The glacial lagoon is the largest and most famous in Iceland due to the large number of icebergs that are floating in it. These icebergs are detached from the Breiðamerkurjökull glacier tongue and if you are worried about the Iceland Jokulsarlon weather and the melting ice, don’t worry! We’ll tell you that they are present at any time of the year.
But is there a better time to visit Jokulsarlon Lagoon?
When is the best time to travel to Jökulsárlón?
First of all, you have to keep in mind is that temperatures are moderate throughout the year. Jökulsárlón is a glacial lake in Iceland with a Tundra-type climate3. That is, it does not have a pronounced summer due to its geographical location. It is close to the Arctic Circle, where the North Atlantic cold current arrives. At the same time, winters are not particularly harsh either.
Both Iceland and Jökulsárlón can be visited all year round because the average temperatures are moderate due to the warm Gulf Stream. Here are all the tours in Jokulsarlon that you can do with us! To give you an idea, New York can get colder in winter than certain parts of Iceland, so any time of year is a good time to visit the country and to see the lagoon.
Iceland Jokulsarlon weather in summertime
The summer season in Jökulsárlón is from May to August, a time when you can take advantage of the most sunlight. Temperatures in this season range between 44,6°F (7°C) and 50°F (10°C), with July being almost always the warmest month. The most hours of sunshine are recorded between May and June, when the sun shines between 20 and 21 hours a day.
If you are looking to travel in the warmest month our recommendation is to travel in July, as temperatures average 44,6°F (7°C) at night and 51,8°F (11°C) during the day. While in May temperatures drop to 35,6°F (2°C) at night and do not exceed 44,6°F (7°C) during the day.
One of the advantages of traveling in summer to Jökulsárlón is that in this season the high road areas in Iceland open, so you will have more places to visit on the island. Another advantage is that the sun stays more hours throughout the day, so you will have more time to explore the highlands, canyons, volcanoes and black sand beaches that the country offers.
The lake is quite close to the road, and during the summer it is easily accessible. The car reaches almost everywhere without a problem, and there are boat tours to enjoy the glacier scenery up close, or if you are more adventurous, you can take a kayak to navigate the waters. Here you can see a kayak tour in Jökulsárlón.
Iceland Jokulsarlon weather in winter
From November to April the lowest temperatures in the area are recorded, and April is the month with the least rainfall. The temperature in winter is still less cold than in other northern European countries, but it drops quite a lot compared to the “summer” and the days are shorter, so there will be more hours of darkness.
However, this is the best time to visit Iceland if you want to enjoy one of its great spectacles: the northern lights. Winter is the time of the auroras, so if you come in these dates you can enjoy them in all their splendor.
The coldest month is usually January with average temperatures of 2°C during the day and -4ºC at night. At this time of the year you have less light, so if you want to visit the lake and its surroundings you may need more days to get to know it, optimizing the time with the amount of light available.
The low temperatures give a wilder touch to the trip. The landscape you will see will be more white and snowy, being a more “adventurous” experience. On the other hand, this makes the excursions more dependent on the weather, as the possibility of bad weather is somewhat higher.
In the winter you will also find fewer people, and this is an advantage as prices tend to be lower for both accommodation and certain excursions.
The roads are in good condition at all times of the year, so you should have no problem getting around and reaching the lagoon. It is essential to bring thermal clothing, as well as sweaters and coats, as in addition to the cold there is usually more wind at this time of year.
So as you have seen, the weather in Jokulsarlon allows you to visit at any time of the year. What are you waiting for to live the adventure?