Iceland’s summer of 2026 brought above-average rainfall

Iceland’s summer of 2026 was wetter than average at four measurement stations, according to the Icelandic Meteorological Office’s seasonal review, reported by mbl.is. The review covers June to September, one month longer than the World Meteorological Organization’s definition of summer, which excludes September.

Rainfall totalled 311.5 millimetres in Reykjavík, about 30 per cent above the 1991-2020 average. Stykkishólmur recorded 290.1 millimetres, 50 per cent above average; Akureyri had 158.3 millimetres, 5 per cent above average; and Dalatangi recorded 557.8 millimetres, 10 per cent above average. July was unusually dry in Akureyri and Dalatangi.

The number of days with at least 1 millimetre of precipitation was also above average at all four locations: 52 in Reykjavík, seven more than usual; 48 in Stykkishólmur, 12 more; 37 in Akureyri, nine more; and 46 in Dalatangi, three more.

Despite the rain, sunshine hours were slightly above average in Reykjavík, with 663.8 hours, and 88 hours above average in Akureyri, with 659.2 hours.

Average summer temperatures were 10.2 degrees Celsius in Reykjavík, 0.1 degrees below average; 9.7 degrees in Stykkishólmur, 0.1 degrees above average; and 10.4 degrees in Akureyri, 0.5 degrees above average. Dalatangi averaged 9.1 degrees, one degree above average, making it the third-warmest summer there in an 87-year record. The summers of 2021 and 2014 were warmer or similarly warm.

September’s average temperature was just above the 1991-2020 average. Reykjavík recorded 8.6 degrees, 0.1 degrees above average. Rainfall was above average in most parts of the country except the southwest, with particularly wet conditions in the latter half of the month. Landslides and rockfalls were reported in the Westfjords, Eastfjords, and the south and southeast. Sunshine in September was slightly above average in both Reykjavík and Akureyri, while average air pressure in Reykjavík was unusually low at 995.5 hectopascals.