If January felt a bit chilly it's probably because it was the coldest January in the past ten years. The lowest temperature recorded in January in Iceland was -25.6°C (-14.1°F) at Svartárkot farm and at Mývatn lake in North East Iceland on January 21. The average temperature in Reykjavík was -0.2°C (31.6°F), which is -1.5°C (2.7°F) below the average of the past 10 years, but 0.3°C (0.5°F) above the average of the years 1961-1990.
Cold and snowy
The Icelandic Meteorological Office reports that the temperature at all measuring stations in Iceland in January was below the average for the past 10 years, but above the longer term average at nearly all stations.
January also saw more precipitation than the short- and long term average. Precipitation in Reykjavík was 106.8 mm (4.2 in), which is 40% more than in 1961-1990, and 14% above the average for the past 10 years. Other measuring stations tell a similar story. Despite the cold and heavy precipitation Reykjavík did not see more days with snow than in an average year. The IMO reports counted 14 snow-days in Reykjavík in January, which is the same as the 1971-2000 average.
Unusually icy roads and streets
The IMO notes that the combination of precipitation and cold, interrupted by days of rain and above-freezing temperatures resulted in an unusually high number of days with ice on sidewalks, streets and roads. A meteorologist with the IMO told the National Broadcasting Service that the combination of short warm spells with rain and persistent frost and frozen ground creates ideal conditions for icy roads.
The ground remains frozen throughout, and when it rains the rain cannot penetrate the ground, and when the rain hits the cold ground it freezes, creating a slick cover of ice.
We at Iceland Insider would like to use the opportunity to encourage people to take care while traveling in Iceland! Remember that roads, even the Ring Road, are usually slick or icy, and sidewalks and walking paths can be covered in ice. Slow down while driving and remember to use cleats or crampons to minimize the likelihood of an accident!
If January felt a bit chilly it's probably because it was the coldest January in the past ten years. The lowest temperature recorded in January in Iceland was -25.6°C (-14.1°F) at Svartárkot farm and at Mývatn lake in North East Iceland on January 21. The average temperature in Reykjavík was -0.2°C (31.6°F), which is -1.5°C (2.7°F) below the average of the past 10 years, but 0.3°C (0.5°F) above the average of the years 1961-1990.
Cold and snowy
The Icelandic Meteorological Office reports that the temperature at all measuring stations in Iceland in January was below the average for the past 10 years, but above the longer term average at nearly all stations.
January also saw more precipitation than the short- and long term average. Precipitation in Reykjavík was 106.8 mm (4.2 in), which is 40% more than in 1961-1990, and 14% above the average for the past 10 years. Other measuring stations tell a similar story. Despite the cold and heavy precipitation Reykjavík did not see more days with snow than in an average year. The IMO reports counted 14 snow-days in Reykjavík in January, which is the same as the 1971-2000 average.
Unusually icy roads and streets
The IMO notes that the combination of precipitation and cold, interrupted by days of rain and above-freezing temperatures resulted in an unusually high number of days with ice on sidewalks, streets and roads. A meteorologist with the IMO told the National Broadcasting Service that the combination of short warm spells with rain and persistent frost and frozen ground creates ideal conditions for icy roads.
The ground remains frozen throughout, and when it rains the rain cannot penetrate the ground, and when the rain hits the cold ground it freezes, creating a slick cover of ice.
We at Iceland Insider would like to use the opportunity to encourage people to take care while traveling in Iceland! Remember that roads, even the Ring Road, are usually slick or icy, and sidewalks and walking paths can be covered in ice. Slow down while driving and remember to use cleats or crampons to minimize the likelihood of an accident!
