The climate of Raufarhöfn
Raufarhöfn, located in the far north of
Iceland, boasts a Tundra climate, marked by the ET Köppen climate classification. The North Atlantic currents significantly influence the region's climate, contributing to its cold, wet weather with long, snowy winters and short, mild summers.
Throughout the year, Raufarhöfn experiences a temperature range from -1.9°C (28.6°F) to 10.6°C (51.1°F). The summer (
June to
August) sees warmer temperatures, with average highs reaching from 8.5°C (47.3°F) to 10.6°C (51.1°F), while winter months (
December to
February) face frigid temperatures, with a low of -1.9°C (28.6°F) in
March.
Annual rainfall in Raufarhöfn varies noticeably, with a minimum of 24-mm in June to a maximum of 77-mm in December. Precipitation is more considerable from autumn to winter and less during summer. Moreover, the village encounters heavy snowfall from 105-mm in December to 42-mm in
October, signifying a predominantly snowy environment.
Raufarhöfn's climate displays a high relative humidity, ranging around 80% to 84%, with the highest in
July. Importantly, sunlight is a scarce resource with peak daylight hours of 23.8 in June and a minimum of 2.8 hours in December, causing prolonged darkness during winter.
The best time to visit Raufarhöfn
Based on the climatic conditions, the best time to visit
Raufarhöfn is between
June and
August when the temperatures are moderately warm. During this period, the region experiences the highest daylight hours, from 19.6 in
May to 23.8 in June, providing ample time for outdoor activities and sightseeing.
Furthermore, June possesses the least monthly rainfall of 24-mm in the year, resulting in relatively dry conditions favourable for visitors. The average wind speed is lowest in June (17.9 Kph), rendering a calm and pleasant atmosphere.
The worst time to visit Raufarhöfn
The most challenging time to visit
Raufarhöfn is during the winter season, especially between
December and
March. This period confronts severe frost, with average temperatures falling to -1.9°C (28.6°F). Due to the extreme cold, outdoor activities might be limited.
Moreover, winter months experience the least daylight hours, particularly December, with only 2.8 hours of daylight, making it extremely challenging for sightseeing. Heavy snowfall and high wind speed during this time could also pose potential challenges for visitors.
Spring weather in Raufarhöfn
Spring, from
March to
May, ushers in slightly milder weather, with temperatures rising from 1.1°C (34°F) in March to reach 5.3°C (41.5°F) by May.
April remains mostly dry with 42-mm rainfall, and by the end of spring, the snow starts to recede, falling to 13-mm in
June.
The relative humidity stays within the 81% to 80% range during spring, and the visibility improves to 10km (6.2mi) in May. With daylight hours increasing progressively from 11.8 in March to 19.6 in May, spring can be considered a favourable period for visitors.
Summer weather in Raufarhöfn
Summers in
Raufarhöfn, from
June to
August, see milder weather conditions. Average high temperatures range from 8.5°C (47.3°F) to 10.6°C (51.1°F), and rain is at its least at 24-mm in June.
In June, the number of sunshine hours reaches its zenith at 0.4, while average daylight hours peak at 23.8, facilitating an extended scope for daytime activities. Additionally, the wind drops to its lowest speed in the year at 17.9 Kph, which contributes to the overall pleasant climate during the summer months.
Autumn weather in Raufarhöfn
Autumn, spanning from
September to
November, witnesses a gradual drop in temperature from 8.8°C (47.8°F) in September to 3.1°C (37.6°F) in November. Rainfall begins to escalate this season, reaching 74-mm in
October.
Reduced daylight hours, starting from 13.1 in September and dropping to 5.7 in November, mean shorter days. Snowfall returns towards the end of the season, with November seeing a noticeable increase to 89-mm.
Winter weather in Raufarhöfn
Winter in
Raufarhöfn is characterized by plummeting temperatures and increasing snowfall. From
December to
February, average temperature drops from 1.5°C (34.7°F) to -0.9°C (30.4°F), and snowfall rises to a peak of 105-mm in December.
December also records the highest rainfall in the year, at 77-mm. Moreover, the winter period sees the shortest daylight hours of the year, with a mere 2.8 hours in December. High wind speeds from 29.3 Kph in February to 31.4 Kph in December further augment the cold conditions.
Weather in January
Raufarhöfn,
Iceland greets the new year with chilly winds and a significant amount of snowfall. Hearty gusts of wind dominate the month, with an average speed of 29.8km/h (18.5mph) and escalation up to a maximum of 47km/h (29.2mph).
Weather in January » Weather in February
Moving from
January to
February, the weather shifts but stays within the realm of the winter spectrum. February continues the trend with snowfall but records a decrease from the preceding month, allowing for a more manageable weather condition.
Weather in February »Weather in March
March signals a period of mild transition from winter to spring in
Raufarhöfn,
Iceland. The snowfall reaches its highest for the first half of the year with an average of 113mm (4.45") distributed across 13.3 days. Despite being snowier than
February, March shows signs of the spring thaw with longer daylight hours.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
With the arrival of
April,
Raufarhöfn witnesses noticeable changes in its climatological framework. Various transformations in the weather become apparent, from the further decrease in snowfall to the increase of relative humidity to 81%.
Weather in April »Weather in May
The month of
May in
Raufarhöfn brings a welcome delay in the sunset and remarkably less snowfall, paving the way for a much-anticipated summer. A highlight includes the increased visibility reaching 9km (5.6mi), making sightseeing and outdoor activities more appealing.
Weather in May »Weather in June
If there's a month with the least snowfall, it's
June in
Raufarhöfn, recording a negligible average of 13mm (0.51") during this time. By contrast, the rising temperatures and increased daylight hours encourage more outdoor activities and adventures.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
Summer is at its zenith in
July with
Raufarhöfn experiencing its highest temperature of the year reaching 10.2°C (50.4°F). Although this may not seem hot, considering
Iceland's usual weather, it's a season locals and visitors look forward to.
Weather in July »Weather in August
As the last month of summer,
August in
Raufarhöfn still retains the warm weather, albeit with a slight decrease. The decreasing daylight hours to 16.9h herald the onset of fall. This month allows for a delightful blend of both summer and autumn, presenting an enlightening spectacle of changing landscapes.
Weather in August »Weather in September
Welcome to autumn in
Raufarhöfn,
Iceland, marked by gradually decreasing temperatures and increasing rainfall. An essential characteristic of this month is the rise in both rainfall and snowfall, recording an average of 67mm (2.64") and 7mm (0.28") respectively.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
As
October enters the scene,
Raufarhöfn starts to feel the grip of winter encroaching once again. A clear downward shift in the weather elements signals the incoming winter season. The city becomes a scenic wonderland with a blend of snow and foliage transforming the town into a photographer's dream.
Weather in October »Weather in November
November underscores the swift transition between seasons in
Raufarhöfn by bringing colder temperatures and the return of significant snowfall. This is far more apparent compared to
October, with an average snowfall of 89mm (3.5") spread across 8.9 days.
Weather in November » Weather in December
As
Raufarhöfn nears the end of the year, the city is deeply immersed in the winter spirit.
December marks the peak of winter with the highest snowfall, recording 105mm (4.13") over 10.4 days. The town's cozy Christmas atmosphere is nicely complemented by the winter chill.
Weather in December » [Resources]