The summer of 2018 in Reykjavík and the rest of South-Western Iceland has been unusually chilly, rainy and overcast. In fact, the summer of 2018 has so far been the single worst on record. A case in point: The warmest day so far this summer was on Sunday. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office the temperature in the capital reached a balmy 14.2°C (57.6°F).
Icelanders are usually relatively content with summer temperatures in the double digits (10°C+/50°F), but for people to talk of a heatwave you usually need temperatures that exceed 20°C (68°F). In a normal year you can expect this to happen at least a few times. Temperatures in Iceland rarely rise to the upper 20s.
Highest temperatures ever recorded in Iceland
The highest temperature ever recorded in Iceland was at Teigarhorn farm in Berufjörður fjord in East Iceland on June 22 1939: A balmy 30.5°C (86.9°F). A second measurement, taken at Teigarhorn on September 24 1940 produced an even higher 36°C (96.8°C), but scientists have questioned this measurement, which is why it's not officially recognized.
Since measurements began temperatures in excess of 30°C (86°F) have only been recorded four times. Two additional disputed measurements have been taken showing temperatures in excess of 30°C, including the 1940 36°C Teigarhorn measurement.
The summer of 2018 in Reykjavík and the rest of South-Western Iceland has been unusually chilly, rainy and overcast. In fact, the summer of 2018 has so far been the single worst on record. A case in point: The warmest day so far this summer was on Sunday. According to the Icelandic Meteorological Office the temperature in the capital reached a balmy 14.2°C (57.6°F).
Icelanders are usually relatively content with summer temperatures in the double digits (10°C+/50°F), but for people to talk of a heatwave you usually need temperatures that exceed 20°C (68°F). In a normal year you can expect this to happen at least a few times. Temperatures in Iceland rarely rise to the upper 20s.
Highest temperatures ever recorded in Iceland
The highest temperature ever recorded in Iceland was at Teigarhorn farm in Berufjörður fjord in East Iceland on June 22 1939: A balmy 30.5°C (86.9°F). A second measurement, taken at Teigarhorn on September 24 1940 produced an even higher 36°C (96.8°C), but scientists have questioned this measurement, which is why it's not officially recognized.
Since measurements began temperatures in excess of 30°C (86°F) have only been recorded four times. Two additional disputed measurements have been taken showing temperatures in excess of 30°C, including the 1940 36°C Teigarhorn measurement.
