Iceland in November: Weather, Daylight and What to Expect

Gunnar Steinn By Icelandic photographer & travel writer

Updated 5 November 2026

November is one of my favourite months at home. The tourists of summer and autumn are gone, Christmas has not quite arrived yet, and Iceland goes quiet in a way I really like. I have been photographing the northern lights here since 2010, and this is when the nights get long enough that the sky gets plenty of chances to put on a show.

If you are coming this month, here is what I would tell you over a cup of coffee: the days are short, the weather changes its mind often, and the evenings are the best part. Plan around the light, stay flexible, and you will have a wonderful time. The practical numbers are all at the end of the article if you want them.

What the weather feels like

Honestly, November can go either way. Some years it is calm and crisp, other years it brings snow and wind. Last year was a good example of how hard it is to predict. The Met Office called November 2025 cold across the country but also unusually calm, and Reykjavík had only one day with full snow cover. Just a week before, at the end of October, the city got a record dump of snow.

So I never trust one year. Expect temperatures around freezing in Reykjavík and colder in the north and east. Every morning of your trip, take a quick look at the forecast and any weather warnings on https://www.vedur.is. It takes a minute and it can save you a long day.

Short days, beautiful light

The thing that surprises most visitors is how fast the days shrink. At the start of the month you get around eight hours of daylight in Reykjavík, and by the end only about five. Up north in Akureyri it is even shorter.

I actually love this light. The sun stays very low all day, so even at noon everything glows soft and golden, and twilight stretches out on both sides of the day. For photography it is a gift. For travel it simply means starting your drives in the dark, saving the big sights for the hours around midday, and keeping your evenings free for the sky.

The northern lights in November

This is the part I get asked about most. Yes, November is well inside the aurora season, and with darkness falling in the late afternoon there are many hours every night when the lights can appear. What you really need is darkness and a clear, or at least partly clear, sky.

My routine is simple, and williseeaurora.com is where I check it. It gives one score from 0 to 100 for your chances, updated every 5 minutes, and shows live cloud cover for Reykjavík, Akureyri, Egilsstaðir, Ísafjörður and Vík.

  1. In the afternoon I open williseeaurora.com and look at the clouds first. Clouds block the aurora completely, so a clear sky matters more than anything.
  2. Then I check the Kp index on the same page. Kp 2 or higher means the aurora is possible in Iceland, and Kp 5 or higher can bring vivid displays.
  3. I use the hourly slider to find the best window, then drive away from the city lights.

Before you go, have a read of my northern lights guide and how to photograph the northern lights. And if you would rather not drive dark winter roads yourself, that is completely sensible. Our northern lights tours start from 9,999 kr for the Northern Lights Bus Tour.

Driving in November

November is when winter driving starts for real, and I always tell friends to take it slowly. Studded tyres become legal on 1 November, so ask at pickup what tyres your car has. Before every drive, check road status on https://umferdin.is and alerts on https://safetravel.is. The Road and Coastal Administration also answers on 1777.

Leave the highlands for summer. Snow decides when mountain roads open, and in November I stick to the Ring Road and the lowlands. Keep your driving days short too, because a distance that is easy in June can mean a long drive in the dark now. There is more in my guide to driving in Iceland during winter.

Ice caves

November is when the ice cave season begins in Vatnajökull, one of the most magical things you can do in Iceland. Tours run mostly from November to March, and only certified glacier guides can take you inside. Please do not go in on your own. Vatnajökull National Park warns that ice under an ice roof can be extremely dangerous in autumn, and the guides check every cave, so a trip can be called off on the day. Read more in exploring Iceland's caves or see our ice cave tours.

Iceland Airwaves

If you like music, November is a fun time to be in Reykjavík. Iceland Airwaves fills venues like Harpa and City Hall, and this year the festival lists 4 November and 5 to 8 November 2026. If your dates overlap, book your accommodation early.

Other things I enjoy in November

What to pack

Pack for cold, wind, rain and snow, possibly all in the same week. Warm base layers, a wool or fleece middle layer, a windproof and waterproof shell, hat, gloves and good waterproof boots with grip. And bring a swimsuit, you will want it for the lagoons. My full list is in what to pack for Iceland.

Is November a good time to visit?

For me, absolutely, if you love long dark nights, the northern lights, ice caves, quiet roads and evenings in hot water, and you can roll with the weather. If you want long sightseeing days or a trip into the highlands, another month will suit you better. You can compare them all in best time to visit Iceland.

November at a glance

  • Temperature: in November 2025 Reykjavík averaged 1.9 °C, Akureyri minus 1.3 °C and Egilsstaðir minus 2.1 °C.
  • Daylight in Reykjavík 2026: about 8 hours on 1 November (09:10 to 17:10), about 6.5 hours on 15 November (09:56 to 16:27), about 5 hours on 30 November (10:43 to 15:49).
  • Daylight in Akureyri 2026: about 7 hours 40 minutes on 1 November, about 6 hours on 15 November, about 4 hours 20 minutes on 30 November.
  • Studded tyres: allowed from 1 November to 15 April.
  • Roads: umferdin.is, safetravel.is and the 1777 phone line.
  • Aurora forecast: williseeaurora.com.
  • Ice caves: mostly November to March, with certified guides.
  • Whale watching: Elding at 09:00 and 13:00 in November.
  • Iceland Airwaves 2026: 4 November and 5 to 8 November.
  • Northern lights tours: from 9,999 kr.

FAQ

Is it cold in Iceland in November? Around freezing. In November 2025 Reykjavík averaged 1.9 °C and Akureyri minus 1.3 °C, according to the Icelandic Met Office. Does it snow in Iceland in November? It can. Reykjavík had one day of full snow cover in November 2025, fewer than average, but snow can arrive at any time. How many hours of daylight are there in November? In Reykjavík about 8 hours on 1 November and about 5 hours on 30 November 2026. Can you see the northern lights in November? Yes, when the sky is dark and clear. Check cloud cover and the Kp index at williseeaurora.com. Do I need studded tyres in November? Studded tyres are allowed from 1 November to 15 April. Ask your rental company what your car has. When is Iceland Airwaves 2026? The festival lists 4 November and 5 to 8 November 2026.