Honestly, if you’re looking at a 14-day forecast for Reykjavik and expecting it to hold true for more than five minutes, you’re already in trouble. I've seen the weather here flip from "gentle morning drizzle" to "horizontal sleet storm" before I even finished my first cup of coffee at a downtown cafe.
Icelanders have a saying: "If you don't like the weather, just wait five minutes." It's a cliché because it's survival advice.
Right now, we are sitting in the heart of winter. Looking at the Reykjavik weather forecast 14 days out, the data shows a city locked in a battle between the freezing Arctic air and the slightly-less-freezing North Atlantic Current. This week alone, temperatures are hovering in a tight, frustrating window between $31^{\circ}F$ and $46^{\circ}F$. That might sound mild to some of you from the Midwest or Canada, but don't let the numbers lie to you.
The Current Reality on the Ground
As of today, Sunday, January 18, 2026, Reykjavik is dealing with a messy mix of rain and snow. We’re looking at a high of $43^{\circ}F$ and a low of $37^{\circ}F$.
The real killer isn't the cold. It's the wind.
With wind speeds hitting $30\text{ mph}$ from the southeast, that $43^{\circ}F$ feels more like $32^{\circ}F$. Humidity is thick at 85%, which means the dampness just seeps into your bones if you aren't wearing the right gear.
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Monday looks like more of the same—rain and snow transitions with a low of $36^{\circ}F$. By Tuesday, things might clear up slightly with "periodic clouds," but the temperature isn't going anywhere. It’s basically a holding pattern of grey.
Why the 14-Day Window is a Gamble
The further out you look, the more the forecast becomes a game of "best guesses." By next week, around January 25, the sun might actually make an appearance. We’re forecasting a "mostly sunny" Sunday with a high of $37^{\circ}F$.
But here is the catch.
Clear skies in January usually mean the temperature drops because there’s no cloud cover to trap the earth’s heat. We’re seeing lows dip to $33^{\circ}F$ that night. If you’re here for the Northern Lights, those clear nights are exactly what you want, but you’ll be standing in $20\text{ mph}$ winds in the dark.
By Wednesday, January 28, the snow returns. We’re expecting a $65%$ chance of snow at night with temperatures hitting $31^{\circ}F$.
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Reykjavik weather forecast 14 days: The Myth of the "Mild" Winter
People see a forecast of $35^{\circ}F$ and think, "Oh, I'll just wear my autumn coat."
Mistake. Huge mistake.
The wind in Reykjavik is a physical force. Local experts, and basically every Icelandic mother, will tell you that windproof is more important than waterproof. If your jacket lets the wind through, the insulation doesn't matter. You’ll be shivering in minutes.
What the Next Two Weeks Look Like (The Prose Version)
- The Early Week (Jan 19-21): Expect sloppy conditions. Rain and snow mixes are the theme here. Monday and Tuesday stay around $39^{\circ}F$ during the day. Wednesday warms up to $42^{\circ}F$ but brings light rain.
- The Midweek Shift (Jan 22-24): Wind picks up on Thursday with gusts near $26\text{ mph}$. Friday and Saturday actually look decent—partly sunny with highs near $41^{\circ}F$. This is your window for city walking.
- The Late Forecast (Jan 25-28): It gets colder. Highs drop toward $34^{\circ}F$ by the end of the month. Snow becomes more likely than rain as we approach February.
The Gear That Actually Matters
Forget fashion.
In Reykjavik, fashion is a waterproof parka. If you're walking down Laugavegur (the main shopping street) in jeans during a January sleet storm, you’ll be soaked and freezing in two blocks. Cotton is your enemy. Once it gets wet, it stays wet and pulls heat away from your body.
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You need layers.
- Base Layer: Merino wool. Not synthetic if you can help it. Wool stays warm even if you get a bit sweaty or damp.
- Mid Layer: A thick fleece or a traditional Icelandic Lopapeysa (wool sweater).
- Outer Shell: Something that blocks 100% of the wind and rain.
Don't forget the shoes. Sneakers are a death wish on the icy sidewalks of Reykjavik. Even if the snow is melting, it turns into a treacherous slush-ice hybrid that will have you sliding toward the harbor. Wear boots with a serious grip.
Actionable Insights for Your Trip
Stop checking the 14-day forecast every hour. It’s going to change. Instead, focus on being prepared for the worst-case scenario within that window.
If the forecast says "sunny," bring your rain shell anyway. If it says "rain," expect it to turn into snow.
Pro Tip: Download the "Veður" app (the official Icelandic Met Office app). It's far more accurate for local micro-climates than the generic weather app pre-installed on your phone. Also, if you're planning to drive out of the city, check road.is religiously. A $35^{\circ}F$ day in Reykjavik can be a full-blown blizzard on the Hellisheiði mountain pass just 20 minutes away.
Keep your plans flexible. If the wind hits $40\text{ mph}$, stay in the city, hit a geothermal pool like Sky Lagoon or the local Sundhöllin, and wait for the "five minutes" to pass.