According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, the year 2015 was the coldest of this century. Average temperatures in 2015 were as much as 1°c lower than the average of the past ten years. At the same time however, the temperature in 2015 was above the average of the years 1961-1990. Precipitation in 2015 was also unusually heavy, although rain in Reykjavík did not top the record year of 2007.
Cold and unusual weather
In its annual overview of the past year’s weather the Icelandic Meteorological Office describes last year as unusually cold and unpredictable. The year began with unusually cold and stormy winter weather January through March, with winter snows surviving into late spring and early summer. The weather improved in late summer, with September through November being the most favourable months of the year.
But warmer and sunnier than in 1960-1990
Despite having been colder than other years in this century last year was still above the average of much of the 20th century. The average temperature in Reykjavík in 2015 was 4.5°C, (40.1°F) which is 0.2°C above the average in 1961-1990, making last year the 20th in a row with temperatures above the average. The average temperature in Stykkishólmur town on the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland was 4.1°C, (39.4°F) 0.6°C above average and in Akureyri town in North Iceland the average temperature in 2015 was 3.8°C (38.8°F), 0.6°C above the average of 1961-1991.
The brightest spot in the report concerns the number of sunny days with clear skies, at least for the inhabitants of Reykjavík. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office Reykjavík saw 120 more hours of sunshine in 2015 than the average of 1961-1990. Akureyri in North Iceland was less fortunate, seeing 150 fewer hours of sunlight, fewer than any time since 2002.
According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office, the year 2015 was the coldest of this century. Average temperatures in 2015 were as much as 1°c lower than the average of the past ten years. At the same time however, the temperature in 2015 was above the average of the years 1961-1990. Precipitation in 2015 was also unusually heavy, although rain in Reykjavík did not top the record year of 2007.
Cold and unusual weather
In its annual overview of the past year’s weather the Icelandic Meteorological Office describes last year as unusually cold and unpredictable. The year began with unusually cold and stormy winter weather January through March, with winter snows surviving into late spring and early summer. The weather improved in late summer, with September through November being the most favourable months of the year.
But warmer and sunnier than in 1960-1990
Despite having been colder than other years in this century last year was still above the average of much of the 20th century. The average temperature in Reykjavík in 2015 was 4.5°C, (40.1°F) which is 0.2°C above the average in 1961-1990, making last year the 20th in a row with temperatures above the average. The average temperature in Stykkishólmur town on the Snæfellsnes peninsula in West Iceland was 4.1°C, (39.4°F) 0.6°C above average and in Akureyri town in North Iceland the average temperature in 2015 was 3.8°C (38.8°F), 0.6°C above the average of 1961-1991.
The brightest spot in the report concerns the number of sunny days with clear skies, at least for the inhabitants of Reykjavík. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office Reykjavík saw 120 more hours of sunshine in 2015 than the average of 1961-1990. Akureyri in North Iceland was less fortunate, seeing 150 fewer hours of sunlight, fewer than any time since 2002.
