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Which plants grow in Iceland? Are there Icelandic wildflowers, and if so, what are their names? Is it true that there no trees in Iceland? And are there any edible or medicinal plants that grow in the barren landscape? Read on for an introduction to the flora to be found in Iceland.
As you arrive in Iceland, you could be forgiven for thinking you have landed on another planet; the lava landscapes which surround Keflavík International Airport are so otherworldly that you might find yourself wondering how anything, let alone people, can survive on this rock in the middle of the Atlantic.

Look a little closer, however, and you will discover a rich and delicate eco-system, finding life in even the most extreme conditions.

There might not be many trees in Iceland, but including fungi and lichen, there are between 5000-6000 known plant species fighting for survival in this challenging environment.

It is not within the scope of this article to discuss all of the plants in Iceland, instead what follows will be a summary of some of the most iconic flora in the Icelandic psyche and scenery.

Trees in Iceland (we have some!)

This wasn't always the case; we know from the written sources of the early settlers that the country was "forested from mountain to shore".

It is estimated that before the arrival of the Viking colonists over 1000-years ago, 40% of Iceland was wooded. Mass deforestation occurred as the early Icelanders needed materials to build their ships, homes and fires to keep them warm.

This process only took approximately 300-years and since then, Iceland has suffered desertification as well as issues with soil erosion, leaving the barren treeless geography that characterises most of Iceland today.

That is not to say that there are no trees in Iceland! In recent years, considerable efforts have been made to recultivate woodlands with a significant degree of success.

Over 85 foreign tree species have been introduced to Iceland, the most common and triumphant to flourish include the sitka spruce ( Picea sitchensis), black cottonwood ( Populus trichocarpa) and lodgepole pine ( Pinus contorta). These varieties originate from Alaska and are grown as a sapling in Icelandic greenhouses as it is illegal to import live trees into Iceland.

Common native plants species include the downy birch ( Betula pubescens), the rowan ( Sorbus Aucuparia), the tea-leafed willow ( Salix phylicifolia), and less frequently the Aspen ( Populus tremula). Most of these grow to shrub height with the birch reaching the maximum height of 15-metres (but most often only 4-5-metres).

The largest forest is Hallormsstaðaskógur and it can be found in the East of Iceland, close to the idyllic town of Egilsstaðir.

The mountain avens or, 'Holtasóley', was voted the National Flower of Iceland by the public in 2004. It is a white Arctic-alpine flowering plant and it flourishes in every region of Iceland.

This pretty wildflower is the favourite food of the rock ptarmigan, or 'Rjúpa' leading it to be nicknamed 'Rjúpnalauf' which directly translates to 'rock ptarmigan's leaf'.

Throughout the ages, humans have made use of its herbal qualities; mainly as an astringent as well as an agent to reduce inflammation. Dried Holtasóley leaves once served as a valuable substitute to highly coveted tobacco and tea.

In Icelandic folklore, the flower is allegedly imbued with the power to attract wealth from the earth. To harness the flower's power you have to follow some pretty deplorable steps.

First, you must steal money from an impoverished widow while she is attending church and then bury the spoils underneath a spot where the flower grows. The legend goes that your ill-gotten gains will then double.

This folk-belief most likely contributed to another name the plant has been given: 'Thief's Root' and historically thieves were frequently hung at sites where the flower was found in abundance.

Arctic Thyme, '´Blóðberg' as it is known in Iceland, can be found across the island due to its proclivity for sandy and gravelly soils of which there is no shortage.

The pretty purple flowers have long been used to make tea and Blóðberg is considered a staple in the world of Icelandic herbs. It is regarded to have medicinal properties as well as health benefits such as strengthening the heart and head, cleansing the blood and contributing to menstrual regulation.

It is also naturally quite tasty and the strong fragrance it exudes has been likened to oregano. The scent is so strong that a good nose will often be able to smell it before it can be spotted by the eye. If you would like to sample this versatile herb, many shops in Reykjavík sell Blóðberg tea or flavoured salts.

There is no other plant in Iceland as controversial as the iconic Lupine. The perennial plant is native to North America and was introduced to Iceland in 1945 to tackle topsoil erosion.

Since its arrival, the lupine has prospered and spread all over the country, sometimes in locations where it is not wholly welcome. In many areas, it poses a threat to a number of indigenous plants, including some moss species which are notoriously difficult to establish or recover.

Worries about a lupine monoculture homogenising the natural flora of Iceland fuel anti-lupine sentiment but it has proven difficult to halt the proliferation of the species.

Not everyone is against the lupine! Many take pleasure from the colour it has added to the Icelandic countryside and the pretty purple flowers provide ample photo opportunities for visitors and locals alike.

Berries

Icelanders love berries and it is a cultural tradition to harvest these natural fruits each season to make a wealth of jams and jellies or, to stockpile a healthy addition to much-loved desserts such as pies or the nation's favourite- Skyr.

Going out to collect berries is called 'Berjamó' and it is characterised by red tongues and empty ice cream containers to stash your bounty.

Berry-picking season in Iceland is traditionally between August and mid-September, but this, of course, depends on what time of berry you are after. Berries grow wild in Iceland and are free from pesticides, making for a real treat. Here's a guide to Icelander's favourite berries.

This is most likely, the most picked berry in Iceland since it grows across the entire country. It is called 'Bláber' in Iceland which translates to blueberry, however, it is in fact not a blueberry but a bog bilberry. Confusing but delicious as they are much sweeter than your typical North American blueberry.

The common bilberry is also widely picked in Iceland and it is called 'Aðalbláber' which translates to 'main blueberry'. It is in fact, again, not a blueberry but a bilberry and grows abundantly in the North East of Iceland. Although it is slightly less sweet than its bog counterpart, it is widely collected and both are used to make jams and to garnish Skyr and other desserts.

You can tell the difference between these two types of bilberry as the 'main bilberry' is slightly smaller and darker in colour. The leaves are always a good indicator; the bog bilberry will have more rounded leaves.

Crowberries (Empetrum nigrum)

This evergreen plant belongs to the heather family and produces small black berries which are called 'Krækiber' in Icelandic. Although they can be quite bitter to the taste, crowberries are great for cooking or being baked into muffins and many people pick them to make jam.

They have also been used to make Iceland's only native wine, 'Kvöldsól' which translates to 'Midnight Sun', acclaimed for its rich taste and high anti-oxidant properties.

Wild Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)

Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Oxfordian Kissuth. No edits made.

The most coveted of Iceland's indigenous berries, the wild strawberry, or 'Jarðarber', is incredibly rare and hard to find in the wild.

They are most likely to be discovered in the north of the island and are incredibly sweet and tasty. If you find yourself in Reykholt in the West of Iceland, you can go visit a strawberry farm set up by a couple of horticulturalists from the Netherlands.

Redcurrant (Ribes rubrum)

The redcurrant is a member of the gooseberry family and although it is not indigenous to Iceland, it is grown in many gardens all over the country.

If you can beat the birds to the berries, they are excellent for making a delicate sweet jelly called 'Rifsberjahlaup' which is traditionally enjoyed on fine cheeses.

Stone Brambleberry (Rubus Saxitilis)

This delicate berry is called 'Hrútaberja' in Icelandic which translates literally to 'Ram's berry', and like redcurrants, they are popularly made into delicious jellies to be eaten enjoyed on special occasions.

The berries are small and red with a stone in the middle and are sour to the taste. Although they are found all over the country, they are most bountiful in the North of Iceland and the Snæfellsnes peninsula.

Photo from Wikimedia, Creative Commons, by Joshua Mayer. No edits made.

Sheep sorrel (or sometimes, 'red sorrel') is known as 'Hundasúra' in Iceland. It is a member of the buckwheat family and it is favoured for its tart and tasty leaves.

As young children, Icelanders know they can nibble the sour leaves and will do so throughout their lives. The leaves are a perfect addition to a salad or simply something to forage as you go for a hike.

Rhubarb or 'Rabarbari' in Icelandic is not indigenous to Iceland; it was introduced at the end of the 19th century but since then has positively thrived in the climate, which is not common amongst exogenous plants.

No serving of Icelandic pancakes or waffles is complete without some rhubarb jam handy and young children will often enjoy a stick of rhubarb dipped in sugar. In the past, it has been used as a pesticide and dye. Be careful not to eat the leaves as they are poisonous!

Dandelions grow everywhere in Iceland and in huge abundance. These wildflowers are suited to disturbed soils which are common across Iceland.

Although dandelions can be considered a family of wildflowers of which quite a few different species grow in Iceland, most Icelanders when referring to a dandelion would simply use the term 'Túnfífill' or simply 'Fífill'.

Dandelions are rich in vitamins and minerals and the whole plant is edible from flower to root. They have therefore long featured in the Icelandic diet be it as a tea or tonic or by adding the leaves to salads. The root of the plant has long been used as an invaluable coffee substitute since coffee was expensive and often in short supply.

The wildflower caraway is treasured for its tasty seeds which are a favourite choice to garnish bread rolls as well as flavouring Iceland's most iconic drink, Brennivín. Also known as 'Black Death', the Icelandic schnapps Brennivín often accompanies rotten shark but it's also tasty in its own right.

Caraway is called Kúmen in Icelandic, as is Cumin which can make for some confusion but nothing that can't be fixed with a good nose.

Angelica ranks supreme in the world of Icelandic flora, referred to as 'Hvönn' and known as 'Angel herb' in Anglo-terms thanks to a monk in the midst of the plague. This medical marvel was assumedly brought to Iceland by its first settlers. Along with livestock, this plant was considered invaluable for the survival and success of an intrepid nation.

Recently, Angelica has been scientifically proven to alleviate and prevent, stomach ailments, respiratory problems, infections, antitumour activity, digestive agitation, congestion, cramp, flatulence, and liver problems, as well as cancer. The list is endless.

Not only has it alimentally sustained its earliest cultivators but it has also medically assisted the Vikings and their descendants ever since its original transition to the harsh conditions of the Icelandic environment.

Angelica was so widely valued that it served as currency within Iceland and abroad. It has been so highly prized throughout the years that in the 12th century AD there were laws set in place to protect cultivators from burglary.

The whole plant can be used including its roots; a lifeline for early Icelanders. This miracle plant is still valued today. Angelica literally translates from Latin as 'Angels' Root'; its precious value has never been overlooked. So much so, that many places in Iceland bare its name; Hvannadalshnúkur, the highest peak in Iceland is named after it and literally translates to 'Angel Root Valley Peak'.

Dulse (Palmaria palmata)

The history of Iceland is deeply intertwined with the sea. Not only did the Viking settlers have to cross it to reach Iceland but it has long served as a critical source of food and not only for fish.

Dulse is known as 'Söl' in Iceland, and it is a type of red seaweed which nourished Icelanders since the first settlers arrived in the 10th century. It was collected in vast quantities in the spring and summer and then dried to stockpile or for trade. Winters were long and hard and dulse could often be depended on as a reliable source of nutrition

Traditionally, it was boiled and eaten with butter or cod-liver oil. It's recently making a bit of a comeback as a tasty health food with some people likening its flavour to bacon!

These brown algae are farmed in Iceland, especially in Breiðafjörður fjord in the Westfjords of Iceland. It is especially coveted for its role in skin care products and also in beauty products in general as it acts as an organic binding agent. It can also be dried and ground down for use in nutritional powders as well as animal feed.

Moss (Bryophtes)

It is not possible to write an overview of plants in Iceland and not mention moss. Famously thick woolly green moss covers much of Iceland's lava landscapes and there are over 600 species discovered so far. The endless fields of rolling green blankets leave no surprise that mosses account for more than half of all the vegetation cover in Iceland.

Mosses are multi-cellular flowerless plants that are capable of photosynthesizing and they grow in clumps or 'mats'. Scientists reckon that moss arrived in Iceland by reproductive spores and were most likely some of the first species to colonise the island.

Moss is very well suited to the Icelandic climate; they do well in wet conditions and during cold spells, they can 'hibernate' or stay dormant as they wait for better conditions.

In the challenging and barren landscapes, moss has flourished and Icelanders have a deep respect for this resilient group of species. Although they are robust in terms of being able to withstand the weather, they are delicate in that they take a long time to grow; only 1 cm per year in good conditions.

A lot of damage can be caused by walking over these carpets of moss and the Icelandic government has made noble efforts to educate those visiting Iceland to be mindful of where they roam so as not to cause unintentional damage underfoot.

One of the most infuriating purposeful cases of vandalism occurred on a hill near Nesjavellir in the South of Iceland whereby someone wrote 'Send Nudes' into the hillside by tearing up huge clumps of this precious vegetation.

Justin Bieber filmed shots for his 'I'll Show You' music video on particularly delicate moss in the South of Iceland and received condemnation from the local park rangers. So if you're coming to Iceland, please don't step on the moss!

Moss balls are extremely rare phenomena and are only found in a handful of lakes around the world. Here in Iceland, they are found in Lake Mývatn ('Fly Lake') in the Northern region of the country.

These unique algae formations are caused by very gentle wave action which round the plant matter into these rather adorable spherical organisms. In Iceland, they are called 'Kúluskítur' which translates to 'Dirtballs' and their survival might be threatened as their colonies have been rapidly declining in recent years.

In Japan, some enthusiasts treasure marimo as pets and here in Iceland, they have been a protected species since 2004.

Contrary to its name, Iceland moss is actually not a moss, it's a lichen. Algae and fungus form a mutually beneficial relationship to create lichen, a dynamic symbiote. Along with moss, lichen is thought to be one of the first plant species to colonise the barren lava landscape and it can be considered an extremophile as it tends to thrive in extreme conditions.

Iceland moss has the appearance of a moss which is where it gets its name. It is called 'fjallagrös' which translates to 'mountain grass', and it has long been revered for its medicinal properties. It is used to treat loss of appetite, the common cold, irritation of the mouth or throat, dry coughs, indigestions, fevers, lung disease; the list goes on!

The main form of preparation is steeping the lichen in hot water to make a tea or it can be heated in milk for extra comfort. In times of hardship, Iceland moss was eaten and today, it has been used to flavour some liquors and schnapps.

Once again, the name is misleading here as Reindeer moss is, in fact, a lichen. It is native to Iceland and has recently been discovered to secrete medicinally useful substances that could prove useful in the treatment of cancer.
Did you find this article useful? Are there any plants missing from this list that you think should be there? Do you have a favourite plant in Iceland? Make sure to leave your thoughts and queries in the Facebook comments box below.

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The Ultimate Guide to Plants in Iceland | Guide to Iceland

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Which plants grow in Iceland? Are there Icelandic wildflowers, and if so, what are their names? Is it true that there no trees in Iceland? And are there any edible or medicinal plants that grow in the barren landscape? Read on for an introduction to the flora to be found in Iceland.

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Reindeer have become nearly synonymous with Christmas, and in particular Santa Claus, but that idea only came about in 1823, with the first publishing of Clement Moore's "A Visit From St. Nicholas. Santa Claus, however, plays relatively no part in Icelandic Christmas traditions, even though wild herds of reindeer, nearly 3000 animals, run wild across eastern Iceland.

The reindeer is not native to the land of fire and ice. Transplanted from Norway in the late eighteenth century, the species has always been feral. Originally, they roamed the country in relatively large numbers, but by the turn of the Twentieth Century, the reindeer became extinct in north and southwest Iceland. By the mid-twentieth century, the reindeer population dwindled to only a few hundred animals, and survived only in the east and northeast of the country. Researchers associate the drop in population to poor grazing conditions, most likely caused by volcanic eruptions, and a rash of harsh winters.

Currently, Iceland has roughly three thousand reindeer, and still only in the east and northeast of the country. The reindeer stay mostly at high elevations during the summer months, then migrate closer to the coastal grasslands during the winter. They are best seen from Vopnafjordur on the northern coast, all the way south to Glacier Lagoon. Their primary habitats are near mount Snæfell, which rises alongside Vatnajökull glacier.

The reindeer (Rangifer tarandus) is closely related to the caribou, and is sometimes considered the same species, though reindeer are smaller, roughly 160-200 cm (5 – 6.5 ft) and 250 kg (551 lbs). They are a species of deer, but both bull and cows grow antlers. Even new calves begin to grow antlers in the their first week. The size of a fully developed reindeer rack is the largest of the deer family, and is second only to the antlers of the moose.

To remain insulated from the cold harsh weather, reindeer have two layers of fur. The outer layer is air-filled hair, which keeps the reindeer warm by trapping air, and which helps them to maintain buoyancy while fording deep waters. The reindeer has turbinate nasal bones that increase the surface area of the nasal passages, which helps to keep the air breathed-in warm, and which also provides for a keen sense of smell.

Reindeer also have hooves designed for harsh and changing climates. During the summer season, when the tundra is moist, the hooves of the reindeer soften for better traction. During the winter, the hooves of the reindeer shrink and become hard, allowing the reindeer to cut through the ice and snow.

Berjaya Herad Hotel, along the Ring Road in the peaceful East Iceland town of Egilsstadir, offers you comfort and great local food in the heart of reindeer country. Just minutes from the North Atlantic, you will enjoy hiking, biking, fishing, and stunning landscapes. Cheers from Berjaya Hotels!

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About The Wild Reindeer in Iceland | Berjaya Hotels

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Learn about the Reindeer that roam wild in East Iceland. From Berjaya Hotels, Iceland's premiere hotel chain.

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Currently, Iceland has about 3,000 reindeer. The reindeer stay mostly at high elevations during the summer months, then migrate closer to the coastal grasslands during the winter.

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Now, that's not to suggest Iceland is famed for its exotic safaris, nor as a habitat that suits large predators-this is despite the prolific merchandising of polar bears, an animal that only periodically arrives in Iceland, by accident. In fact, one could argue that, for human beings at least, Iceland's most dangerous predator is often the weather, a force quite capable of snuffing out lives within a matter of windswept seconds.

And yet, out there in that bleak, beautiful, threatening wild, there is a small, furry meat-eater who has prospered for ten thousand years, battling the elements and the rough terrain to become one of history's toughest natural survivors.

Photo by Jonatan Pie

As Iceland's only native mammal, this creature has been both a blessing and a curse on the local population, often pinching chickens, young lambs and even burrowing its way into human parlours. All the while, its fur and meat have provided warmth and sustenance in times of overbearing difficulty.

I talk, of course, of the Arctic Fox ( Vulpes Lagopus), a verified local whose knowledge of Iceland surpasses even that of the experts here at Guide to Iceland. No other mammal has such an authentic connection to the island, nor do they possess the physical characteristics that deem them masters of their environment.

And so, with my clumsy human fingers, I will attempt to gracefully detail the lives of these creatures, and perhaps draw out from their existence certain lessons that we can apply to our own lives living in a landscape characterised by ice and fire.

The Arctic Fox-otherwise referred to as a snow fox, polar fox or white fox -is a 3 to 5 kg (7 to 11 lbs) carnivorous mammal, notable for its thick white, blue or brown coat. The colour of the foxes' coat changes to reflect the passing seasons; this is particularly true of those living in Iceland, where only a third will sport a white winter coat. The remaining two thirds will turn brown and grey during the winter, blending in with the country's platinum-coloured hillsides.

This dense, furry protection provides the fox with an enormous advantage against the cold, with temperatures having to drop as low as -50°C (−94°F) before the animal begins to show visible signs of discomfort. In this sense, the Arctic Fox trumps the mighty, and far more infamous Polar Bear as the Arctic Circle's best-suited predator.

Other adaptations see the Arctic Fox's coat comprised of multiple fur layers (excellent for heat insulation) as well as a high percentage of body fat and a countercurrent heat exchange in the paws, helping to maintain core body temperature. The pads on these paws are also covered with a layer of fur. During the autumn months, the Arctic Fox will pack on fat reserves, often increasing its body mass by 50%.

Given such evolutionary tools, the Arctic Fox is, truly, a force of nature when it comes to living in some of the most frigid and inhospitable regions on the planet. Unlike most sub-arctic animals, the Arctic Fox does not hibernate throughout the winter but instead adapts itself to the natural surroundings. One clear demonstration of this is how the fox's coat will morph colour with the passing seasons.

As previously stated, the fox's coat serves as a particularly efficient means of camouflage, harmonizing flawlessly with a landscape of pure white snow and dark, ragged rock. This serves as an excellent tool for hunting and as an effective means of not being hunted themselves.

In Iceland, the Arctic Fox has no natural predators, save human beings; elsewhere, the creature is pursued by the likes of the polar bear, their canine cousin, the Red Fox, and even Golden Eagles.

Keen observers will also note the animals' short legs, rounded snout and short, tufty ears. Together, these tools allow the Arctic Fox to detect for prey under the snow. Naturalists will often spot the Arctic Fox leaping feet into the air, curling its body and diving snout-first into this frozen blanket, providing one of the more visually stimulating hunting methods in the animal kingdom.

One can also not overlook the creature's large, bushy tail (or " brush"). Measuring at around 14 inches long, the fox will often wrap itself in its own tail to conserve heat. This tail is also utilised in hunting, working as a means of balance and movement, and has evolved over time to provide larger prey with a quick-moving distraction, protecting the animals' sensitive upper body.

There are four subspecies of the Arctic Fox: the Iceland Arctic Fox, the Greenland Arctic Fox, the Pribilof Islands Arctic Fox and, finally, the Bering Islands Arctic Fox. This range of subspecies and their respective habitats-classified as a " circumpolar distribution" -is a testament to the Arctic Fox's ability to trek over incredible distances.

Arctic Foxes are known to live between three to six years, a respectably long time given the trials and tribulations of life in the wild. In captivity, Arctic Foxes have been known to live to the ripe old age of fourteen.

The Arctic Fox is Iceland's only terrestrial mammal, meaning it is the only native mammal to the country. All the rest-the cattle, sheep, reindeer and horses-were brought deliberately to the island by early settlers (or, in the case of the deer, 18th Century traders who unsuccessfully tried to start a venison farming industry).

Though it may appear that these animals are more authentically Icelandic, it was the fox that traipsed these lands first.

The Arctic Fox is thought to have come to Iceland by its own means at the end of the last Ice Age, trotting across the frozen sea from mainland Scandinavia and Greenland. This research was undertaken by the University of Durham, in the UK, and has led to a greater understanding of this small animal's origins.

When it comes to population density, biologists look to where the largest number of birds are on the island. That would be the Westfjords, where towering and dramatic bird cliffs offer the resident foxes a banquet of eggs and fresh meat. Hornstrandir is a particularly notable spot, given the fact that Arctic Foxes are a protected species here, free to roam and hunt without human intrusion.

Outside of Iceland, in regions inhabited by larger predators such as wolves and polar bears, Arctic Foxes will often resort to eating carrion leftover by their larger mammalian cousins. The foxes will, in fact, deliberately follow such predators, mile after mile, in hope of bagging an easy, second-hand meal. In such circumstances, an Arctic Fox might be found gnawing on seal or caribou carcasses.

Among its other culinary preferences are lemmings, voles, seal pups, mice and flightless young birds. And though the Arctic Fox tends to inhabit and, for lack of a better word, control, up to 9 square kilometres of territory, it will walk far, far beyond that in search of food. The Arctic Fox is very much an opportunistic feeder and will resort to chowing down on berries or even faeces in times of deprivation.

This willingness and physical ability to traverse great distances is just one of the fascinating qualities that this creature possesses. In 2008, an Arctic Fox from Bylot Island, in northern Canada, racked up an astounding 5000 kilometres in only one year, astounding scientists.

Given such recent breakthroughs in understanding the foxes' relationship to habitat and food, there is still much to be uncovered about the lives of these small animals.

Arctic Foxes are monogamous animals, meaning that they have one mating partner for life. Mating season takes place each year from April to July; the first litter will be born April/June, whilst the second is born July/August. These litters are known as kits, and will often bear 5-12 whelps (Arctic Fox puppies), depending on food scarcity. In the past, up to 25 offspring have been recorded in a single litter.

Whelps are raised in intricate underground dens, the oldest of which can have a hundred different openings. Despite the fact these dens are left uninhabited throughout the majority of the year, it is in this labyrinthine, subterranean world where the Arctic Fox young will first experience the challenges of daily life. These dens are often hundreds of years old are used by numerous generations of Arctic Fox.

Still, successfully raising a full litter is a rare occurrence, and in times of food shortage, the weaker siblings are often consumed or abandoned in order to ensure the strongest pups survive. This rather ratchety parenting has nothing, I'm sure, to do with the fact that it is the male Arctic Fox who, in large part, rears the children.

Each den will be inhabited by the male, the young and two vixens. Amazingly, one vixen is non-breeding but stays to help raise and wean the litter. Each fox burrow will resemble a familial set-up such as this and are often built a good distance apart from one another in order to avoid competition. These distinct and domestic homes often have a physical separation of two kilometres.

Weaning the young is concluded after two to four weeks, after which the whelps emerge from the den. Nine months on, they will have reached sexual maturity, and thus adulthood; by next year's mating season, the surviving offspring will already be nomadic and hunting. In the intermittent period, the proud parents will have also left one another's company, only to soon return and start the process over.

The Arctic Fox is considered a shy creature, spending the majority of the year hunting solitarily at night. With that being said, there have been numerous occasions caught on photograph and video that show the creature's natural curiosity and intelligence, often trotting right up to photographers and campers. They have even been observed forming small hunting packs to better scour the countryside for food. A group of Arctic Fox is known as a " skulk" or " leash".

The monitoring of Arctic Fox populations in Iceland began in 1979. Until 2010, the species' population was rising steadily, from around 2000 foxes at the beginning of the survey to approximately 10,000. From 2010, however, biologists began to notice a sudden and steady 32% drop off in numbers.

What's particularly unusual is how this diminishing population doesn't fit the natural trend; animal populations will often rise and fall every few years or so, depending on the habitat and food scarcity.

That's not to suggest population numbers have yet reached a critical level; Arctic Foxes are classified as of "Least Concern" by wildlife conservation agencies, meaning there is no threat of imminent extinction.

Still, species move up and down the spectrum as their dietary habits and habitats deteriorate under human influence. Over the last ten years, mankind saw the last of West African Black Rhinoceros, the Pyrenean Ibex and the Yangtze River dolphin, among others. Despite our efforts, it seems mankind is still unable to provide an all-encompassing protection for wild animal species, wherever they sit on the conservation spectrum.

Photo by Jonatan Pie

Hunting Arctic Fox still takes place in Iceland each year, with it now even being run as a multi-day tour. Why anyone in their right mind might decide to go hunting these animals for fun is far beyond me, but it does strengthen the correlation, even in Iceland, that nature and wildlife is something that we humans love to commodify.

By those who partake in blood sports, hunting Arctic Fox in Iceland is justified as a necessary action, utilised to protect cattle and Eider duck populations. This, of course, does not stand up for tourists visiting the island.

Whereas historically, foxes were hunted for their prized fur, a recent influx of Mink fur farms across the country have made it a valueless commodity. Still, den hunting does take place, an activity where every animal in the den, young or old, is slaughtered.

The Arctic Fox Centre is a non-profit organisation founded September 15th, 2007 in the fishing village of Súðavík in Iceland's Westfjords. The centre serves as both a research institute and a natural history exhibition, promoting academic fieldwork and sustainable eco-tourism practices. Working alongside scientists, travel experts, artists and media specialists, the Arctic Fox Centre is the only institution in the world wholly dedicated to the preservation and protection of Iceland's first land mammal.

The Arctic Fox Centre boasts large display boards comprised of fascinating scientific information and photographs, and taxidermy foxes that present an opportunity to really get to the grips with the physical dimensions and characteristics of the species.

Visitors to the centre can see two live Arctic Foxes, Ingi and Móri, who were rescued as pups after their parents were killed in a legal fox hunt in 2015. Both blue morphs, these creatures have become the ambassadors of the Arctic Fox here in Iceland, introducing thousands of people every year to the species' many beautiful traits.

Raised and nurtured by humans, these two foxes are notoriously curious and friendly, coming right up to the wires of their enclosure to take a closer look at those who have travelled so far to see them. For those who lack the patience for tracking foxes in the wild, or are otherwise constrained by time, meeting Ingi and Móri is the surest way of seeing an Arctic Fox up close.

Unless you happen to be incredibly lucky, spotting an Arctic Fox in the wild will require patience, preparation and a willingness to spend hours exposed to the natural elements. Some insider knowledge is also key; where are the foxes this time of year? Are there any known observation points? How close can one expect to get?

With such questions in mind, the next step is to decide whether you're going to participate in an organised wildlife spotting tour or to try your hand at tracking the creature down yourself. Without a measure of a doubt, the recommended method is the former, as it puts the experienced operators at the helm of the operation. By partaking in a group with a tour guide, you are also far more likely to learn about the behaviour, habitats and diet of the Arctic Fox.

The Arctic Fox Centre is one such institution that runs these tours, as well as specifically tailored excursions for filmmakers and photographers. In their hands, the centre will organise boat trips to and from Hornstrandir Nature Reserve, as well as settle any accommodation, dietary requirements and the logistics of the shoot itself.

It should be noted that organised trips to Hornstrandir occur only in May, June, July and occasionally August; for "winter shoots", where the white fur is crucial, further planning will have to be made in advance.

But, it is undoubtedly Hornstrandir where guest have the biggest chance of catching sight of this elusive mammal. In fact, the Arctic Foxes that inhabit the area have become surprisingly tame given their regular encounters with humans. In some cases, they may even run up to eat food from a visitor's outstretched palm.

This shouldn't be encouraged, don't get me wrong-it motivates the foxes to rely on people for survival-but, if it's happening to you, there's not a lot that can be done to deter it. Curiosity is, after all, a part of the mammalian complex. Simply show respect, keep calm, and allow the fox to continue on its day.

For those who are hoping to see an Arctic Fox for themselves, it is imperative that the environment should be left as natural and untouched as possible. Littering, or leaving excess equipment, is an omnipresent danger for animals worldwide; best to be elusive, like the fox, leaving no trace but footprints in the snow.

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The Best Guide to the Arctic Fox in Iceland | Guide to Iceland

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A complete guide to the mysterious and elusive arctic fox, a native animal to Iceland. Discover their life cycle, habitat and more. Read on.

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Atlantic cod ( Gadus morhua) is the most iconic fish species for Iceland. A large, fast growing, tasty fish, the cod plays a major role in the Icelandic marine ecosystem. Common catch sizes of cod range from 50 to 100 cm but the largest individual recorded in Icelandic waters was 186 cm in length.

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Reykjavík was by far the biggest fishing harbor in Iceland in 2012 with the volume of cod and other demersal fish species, that exclude only herring and capelin, being well above the country’s other harbors, according to the Directorate of Fisheries.

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Iceland is a land of volcanoes and glaciers, lava fields and green pastures, boiling thermal springs and ice-cold rivers teeming with salmon. This unspoiled demi-paradise is also home to a very old and sophisticated culture. The northernmost capital in the world, Reykjavik was founded in 874 when Ingolfur Arnarson threw wood pillars into the sea, vowing to settle where the pillars washed ashore. Today, Iceland is an international center of commerce and home to one of the most technologically sophisticated societies in the world.

Reykjavik is the gateway to Iceland's natural wonders, which range from ice fields to thermal pools. The island is in a continual process of transformation much like its society, which blends Nordic tradition with sophisticated technology.

Read More

Points of Interest

Learn about these Points of Interest

More about Reykjavik, Iceland Points of Interest

Special Child Pricing Available! Children age 12 and younger, savings up to 50%.

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Iceland is a land of volcanoes and glaciers, lava fields and green pastures, boiling thermal springs and ice-cold rivers teeming with salmon. This unspoiled demi-paradise is also home to a very old and sophisticated culture. The northernmost capital in the world, Reykjavik was founded in 874 when Ingolfur Arnarson threw wood pillars into the sea, vowing to settle where the pillars washed ashore.

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Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

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Nicole Helgason is a professional scuba diver and can often be found photographing corals and sharing her passion about coral reefs around the world. Nicole is Reef Builders Event Manager and is responsible for running ReefStock shows in Denver and Sydney. Nicole is also a manager for Reef Builders social media accounts and a weekly contributor to the Reef Builders site. Nicole has a Bachelors degree in Coastal Geography from the University of Victoria, and is originally from Vancouver Canada.

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A Glimpse Into Cold Water Coral Reefs Around Iceland | Reef Builders | The Reef and Saltwater Aquarium Blog

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Thanks to the help of scientific ROV's, we are not getting a glimpse into this deep dark alien world of Icelandic reefs. These corals live in complete darkness below the mesophotic zone at a depth of...

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"Cold, beautiful and unpredictable" is how Atli, describes Iceland as a surfing destination. He has traversed the world in search of the perfect wave and is a diligent member of Iceland's slowly growing community of surfers who have mastered the waters of the southwest coast.

"Surfing has started to get more popular with Icelanders," says Atli. "Many people are trying it out and like the idea of surfing here but some can't be bothered because of the cold, the 50-minute drive and the effort it takes to learn how to read into the forecasts."

Surfing in Iceland demands hard work and a thorough understanding of the arctic sea: you really need to do your homework. But the challenge itself is precisely what has lured the most dedicated of Icelandic surfers into the ocean. They welcome the test that comes in the form of weather, logistics, and navigating your way through the frosty and often hostile landscapes.

In these harsh conditions, they have caught glimpses of beauty that has made unmatched worth of all of their efforts. "Most traveling surfers who come here to seek solitude and perfect waves, usually find solitude and crap waves", says Ólafur. "The trick is to spot that golden window of perfection where everything lines up, making forecasting very difficult, especially for traveling surfers. If you want to score perfect waves, you need to spend time surfing the local breaks and study the different weather patterns."

Surfing in Iceland not only presents challenges in the form of freezing water, snowstorms, and brutal winds but also beaches that are composed of extremely sharp rocks and surfers must always respect the unforgiving nature of the elements Iceland presents them with.

"We do have some beginner beach breaks that are good and without rocks", says Ólafur, "but all really good surf locations in Iceland are reef- or point breaks, often breaking very close to rocks or cliffs. The wetsuit provides some protection, but you need to be careful and in good shape."

"Most breaks here are reef breaks", Atli explains, "and many of them are fairly shallow, especially at low tide. Therefore you have to be very careful and know the spot and the wave. The number one rule is never to surf alone."

Ólafur describes the Icelandic surfing community as a very close-knit group that likes to meet both in and out of the water. "The vibe is always good between surfers in Iceland", he says. "We enjoy sharing waves. Icelandic surfers are like any other surfers, they want to protect Iceland as a surf destination from the masses. This means that traveling surfers need to be respectful in the water."

Where to go surfing in Iceland?

Icelandic surfers most commonly ride the waves around the Reykjanes peninsula where the fuming volcanic land spews milk-blue mud in a moonlike landscape composed of lava fields as black as pitch and mountains as red as blood; although you have barely ventured 60-minutes away from the warm cafés of central Reykjavik, it is as if you have traveled a million years back in time.

The peninsula's coastline is mostly made up of ancient lava flows where the majority of the waves break on extremely sharp volcanic reefs, with the exception of the black sand beach at Sandvik, which is home to excellent beginner's conditions where the waves can sometimes match the extremity of the reef breaks.

The very best time to surf in Iceland is between October and March when heavy storms hit the island from all directions. During this time the ocean drops to freezing temperatures and 5-6mm suits become absolutely essential.

Should you long for an arctic surfing adventure in Iceland you would be well advised to study the Icelandic weather forecast and tidal projection carefully, before renting a car and driving into the wilderness. Remember also that you can always connect with locals well in advance to seek guidance for the journey ahead.

Be well, be safe and enjoy.

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The Ultimate Guide to Surfing in Iceland | Guide to Iceland

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Everything you would need to know about surfing in Iceland. Find out what you need and where you can surf. Read on for more.

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Cargo port in reykjavik iceland hi-res stock photography and images - Alamy

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Find the perfect cargo port in reykjavik iceland stock photo, image, vector, illustration or 360 image. Available for both RF and RM licensing.

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Other Marine Near to Reykjavik
The 7 day weather forecast summary for Reykjavik, Iceland, Global Ports:
Taking a look at the forecast over the coming week and the average daytime maximum will be around 10°C, with a high of 12°C expected on Sunday morning. The average minimum temperature for the week ahead will be around 7°C, dipping to its lowest on Friday morning at 5°C. Thursday is expected to see the most precipitation with around 36mm, or about 1.4inches anticipated. The strongest wind will be felt on Thursday morning, coming from the east, and reaching around 38mph, that's about 61km/h.

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Marine weather forecast for Reykjavik, Iceland, Global Ports with wind speed, wind gust, wave height, swell, visibility, pressure, precipitation and more.

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i-Boating : Free Marine Navigation Charts & Fishing Maps

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10.1°C / 50.2°F

The water will feel cold. All but the most ardent watersports enthusiasts will be thinking of packing up for the winter. If not we'd suggest a thick 5/4mm wetsuit along with some boots and a hood.

Current weather

The measurements for the water temperature in Reykjavík, Capital Region are provided by the daily satellite readings provided by the NOAA. The temperatures given are the sea surface temperature (SST) which is most relevant to recreational users.

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Copyright Global Sea Temperatures - A-Connect Ltd

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Reykjavík Water Temperature | Iceland | Sea Temperatures

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Today's Reykjavík, Iceland water temperature. Marine / ocean climate data updated daily, surface sea temperatures and recorded in degrees centigrade and farenheit.

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Based on the tourism score, the best time of year to visit Reykjavík for warm-weather activities is from early July to mid August.

The figure below shows you a compact characterization of the entire year of hourly average temperatures. The horizontal axis is the day of the year, the vertical axis is the hour of the day, and the color is the average temperature for that hour and day.

Average Hourly Temperature in Reykjavík

Sand Point, Alaska, United States (3,898 miles away) and Kodiak, Alaska, United States (3,624 miles) are the far-away foreign places with temperatures most similar to Reykjavík ( view comparison).

In Reykjavík, the average percentage of the sky covered by clouds experiences significant seasonal variation over the course of the year.

The clearest month of the year in Reykjavík is May, during which on average the sky is clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy 42% of the time.

A wet day is one with at least 0.04 inches of liquid or liquid-equivalent precipitation. The chance of wet days in Reykjavík varies throughout the year.

Among wet days, we distinguish between those that experience rain alone, snow alone, or a mixture of the two. The month with the most days of rain alone in Reykjavík is September, with an average of 13.8 days. Based on this categorization, the most common form of precipitation throughout the year is rain alone, with a peak probability of 47% on September 21.

To show variation within the months and not just the monthly totals, we show the rainfall accumulated over a sliding 31-day period centered around each day of the year. Reykjavík experiences significant seasonal variation in monthly rainfall.

Rain falls throughout the year in Reykjavík. The month with the most rain in Reykjavík is September, with an average rainfall of 4.5 inches.

The month with the least rain in Reykjavík is June, with an average rainfall of 2.2 inches.

Snowfall

As with rainfall, we consider the snowfall accumulated over a sliding 31-day period centered around each day of the year. Reykjavík experiences significant seasonal variation in monthly snowfall.

The earliest sunrise is at 2:55 AM on June 20, and the latest sunrise is 8 hours, 28 minutes later at 11:23 AM on December 25. The earliest sunset is at 3:28 PM on December 18, and the latest sunset is 8 hours, 35 minutes later at 12:03 AM on June 22.

Daylight saving time (DST) is not observed in Reykjavík during 2023.

The figure below presents a compact representation of the sun's elevation (the angle of the sun above the horizon) and azimuth (its compass bearing) for every hour of every day in the reporting period. The horizontal axis is the day of the year and the vertical axis is the hour of the day. For a given day and hour of that day, the background color indicates the azimuth of the sun at that moment. The black isolines are contours of constant solar elevation.

The figure below presents a compact representation of key lunar data for 2023. The horizontal axis is the day, the vertical axis is the hour of the day, and the colored areas indicate when the moon is above the horizon. The vertical gray bars (new Moons) and blue bars (full Moons) indicate key Moon phases.

We base the humidity comfort level on the dew point, as it determines whether perspiration will evaporate from the skin, thereby cooling the body. Lower dew points feel drier and higher dew points feel more humid. Unlike temperature, which typically varies significantly between night and day, dew point tends to change more slowly, so while the temperature may drop at night, a muggy day is typically followed by a muggy night.

This section discusses the wide-area hourly average wind vector (speed and direction) at 10 meters above the ground. The wind experienced at any given location is highly dependent on local topography and other factors, and instantaneous wind speed and direction vary more widely than hourly averages.

The average hourly wind speed in Reykjavík experiences extreme seasonal variation over the course of the year.

The predominant average hourly wind direction in Reykjavík varies throughout the year.

The wind is most often from the south for 1.0 weeks, from February 26 to March 5; for 1.6 weeks, from April 17 to April 28; and for 4.5 months, from May 6 to September 20, with a peak percentage of 33% on July 25. The wind is most often from the east for 1.4 months, from March 5 to April 17; for 1.1 weeks, from April 28 to May 6; and for 5.2 months, from September 20 to February 26, with a peak percentage of 31% on March 9.

Reykjavík is located near a large body of water (e.g., ocean, sea, or large lake). This section reports on the wide-area average surface temperature of that water.

The average water temperature experiences some seasonal variation over the course of the year.

To characterize how pleasant the weather is in Reykjavík throughout the year, we compute two travel scores.

The tourism score favors clear, rainless days with perceived temperatures between 65°F and 80°F. Based on this score, the best time of year to visit Reykjavík for general outdoor tourist activities is from early July to mid August, with a peak score in the last week of July.

The beach/pool score favors clear, rainless days with perceived temperatures between 75°F and 90°F.

Methodology

For each hour between 8:00 AM and 9:00 PM of each day in the analysis period (1980 to 2016), independent scores are computed for perceived temperature, cloud cover, and total precipitation. Those scores are combined into a single hourly composite score, which is then aggregated into days, averaged over all the years in the analysis period, and smoothed.

Our cloud cover score is 10 for fully clear skies, falling linearly to 9 for mostly clear skies, and to 1 for fully overcast skies.

Our precipitation score, which is based on the three-hour precipitation centered on the hour in question, is 10 for no precipitation, falling linearly to 9 for trace precipitation, and to 0 for 0.04 inches of precipitation or more.

Our tourism temperature score is 0 for perceived temperatures below 50°F, rising linearly to 9 for 65°F, to 10 for 75°F, falling linearly to 9 for 80°F, and to 1 for 90°F or hotter.

Our beach/pool temperature score is 0 for perceived temperatures below 65°F, rising linearly to 9 for 75°F, to 10 for 82°F, falling linearly to 9 for 90°F, and to 1 for 100°F or hotter.

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Reykjavík Climate, Weather By Month, Average Temperature (Iceland) - Weather Spark

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In Reykjavík, the summers are short, cool, and mostly cloudy and the winters are long, very cold, snowy, windy, and overcast. Over the course of the year, the temperature typically varies from 28°F to 57°F and is rarely below 17°F or above 62°F.

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Experience the beautiful Reykjavik in Iceland on board one of our luxury cruises. Book your luxury cruise experience today.

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With this article we aim to help visitors planning to travel around Iceland getting a sense of the weather, climate and how much daylight they can expect when in Iceland. It will hopefully make the decision on what season is the best for them to travel easier and for those who have already made a decisions to travel to come better prepared.
For those struggling to figure out when is the best time to visit Iceland we recommend reading that article as well

Iceland is far from being as cold it´s name would suggest or as cold as many people would assume. This is primarily due to a branch of the Gulf Stream which flows along the southern and the western coasts of the country and drastically moderates the climate. As a result, the winters are relatively mild for an island of this northern latitude. On the other hand, summers are rather cool.

How warm / cold is it going to get?

Here below is are the average low and high temperatures for each month in Reykjavik. The first graph is in Celsius the second one is in Fahrenheit. When traveling to Reykjavik this gives good indication on the temperature you can expect so you can pack accordingly.

How much daylight will we have?

Here are the average daylight hours in hours and minutes between sunrise and sunset each month in Reykjavik.
The usable daylight for sightseeing is a little bit longer than between sunrise and sunset and often the most beautiful photos are taken in the twilight before and after the sun sets but it is a good rule for travelers in Iceland to plan their day in a way they see what they consider most interesting to them in full daylight. That can mean starting the day before sunrise and ending the day after the sun has set. The longest day of the year is around June 21st when the day is close to 21 hours and 8 minutes in Reykjavik. The shortest day is around December 21st when it is only about 4 hours and 7 minutes.

It is also useful to know at what time the sun will rise and set especially if you are on a self drive tour and have decide your self when to start and end the day. The table below shows the sunrise, sunset and daylight hours for the 15th day of each month.

Is it going to rain or will we have sun?

In all likelihood you will get all kinds of weather when traveling around Iceland. The weather changes rapidly and weather forecasts predicting weather more than 3 days ahead is basically a hint of how the weather is going to be but here you will find the average sunlight hours in Reykjavik per month along with the average precipitation per month.

The average temperature, sunlight hours and precipitation was calculated by using raw weather data from the Icelandic Met office and is based on averages in Reykjavik from 2009- 2019. To check on day to day weather forecast while traveling around Iceland we recommend visiting their site.

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Iceland weather, climate & daylight by month | Tour.is

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Touris article: With this article we aim to help visitors planning to travel around Iceland getting a sense of the weather, climate and how much daylight they can exp

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Sun the source of life and for many, the source of happiness and well-being. In our case, as we are a travel blog, we are not focusing on the effects of the sun in our health but in our trip. Light is pretty much necessary for sightseeing and touring around the island. So here you have a complete review for sunshine and daylight hours in Iceland per month.

In Iceland, there are some tours that can be done in the night time, such as watching the Northern lights. But most activities, places to visit and tours do need daylight. Why is so important to mention this? Well, in our case, sunshine and daylight hours in Iceland cannot be taken for granted.

Due to our location, in the North Atlantic Ocean and close to North Pole, we really do not have the same light patterns as most countries do anywhere else. So it is important for you to keep this in mind as daylight hours will for sure affect your schedule. In the winter time, daylight is scarce while the closer in gets to the summer time, more light is available. Even up to 20h of light per day! Here you have the daylight hours in Iceland per month:

January: This month is actually the coldest one in Iceland, that means we are right in the winter time. This affects greatly the daylight hours in Iceland.

In this month, the average of daylight hours is about 5 hours in early and mid-January to about 6 by the end of the month. The sun rise time is about 11:00 am and it sets approximately at 16:11.

February: The sunshine hours start their increasing tendency. In February, the average of daylight hours is 9h per day.

Sun rises at 9:30 approximately and sets around 18:00.

March: Daylight hour increases by two this month, with 11 hours per day.

The sun is up at 7:58 and dusk is at about 19:45 by the end of March.

April: by early April, we get about 14 hours of daylight, and by the end of this month, it increasing up to 15h and 40 minutes.

Sun usually rises at 6:00 and sets at 20:00. As you can see, now we have days that probably look a lot more to the ones you are used to back home.

May: We are getting close to a phenomenon that only happens in this latitude of the planet. Daylight hours' average is around 18-20h per day.

June: The phenomenon I am referring to is the midnight sun. It basically means the sun never really sets. Therefore, daylight during June is about 20-22 hours, which is a lot! Although at the latest hours, the light is not bright. It sorts of looks like a never-ending dawn.

Sun rises at 3:00 and "sets "at 23:55 approximately.

July: the average of daylight in Iceland is about 20h with the sun rising at 3:58 and setting at 23:00.

August: the midnight sun phenomenon is not present anymore; the daylight then decreases down to 15-16 hours per day.

Sun rise time is 5:11 and sun set time is 21:40 approximately.

Sunshine and Daylight Hours in Iceland Per Month

September: daylight is reduced to 12-13 hours per day. The sun rises at 6:41 and sets at about 20:00.

October: and we keep going down...by the end of October, daylight hours in Iceland are about 9 per day.

Sun rise time is 8:00 and sun set time about 18:19.

November: Winter is around the corner, and with it the darker days. daylight hours are about 5-6.

The sun comes up at about 9:45 and sets approximately at 16:11.

December: Well, winter at its best. Just about 4 hours of daylight per day.

Sun rises at 11:22 approximately and sets at 15:29.

As you can see, the daylight hours in Iceland vary greatly from one season to another. It has both advantages and disadvantages, so I highly recommend you to consider what you are looking for and deepen on the possibilities of doing so in each season.

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Sunshine and Daylight Hours in Iceland per Month

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When on vacation, knowing the duration of daylight becomes essential. As in Iceland we have a different patern, here you will have detailed information about Daylight Hours in Iceland per month.

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Equipped with a Marine West Coast, cool summer climate, Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, maintains a Köppen climate classification of Cfc. Its geographical location lends to its unique and varied weather dynamics. Throughout the year, one expects average highs between 1.3°C to 13.5°C and lows in the range from -2.4°C to 9.1°C, clearly indicating Reykjavík's predisposition to cold weather conditions.

Fluctuations in parameters such as humidity, rainfall, and snowfall provide a lens into Reykjavík's weather transformations across the calendar. Relative humidity stays consistent from 75% to 82% throughout the year, a feature indicative of the city's marine climate. Rainfall measures from a low of 25mm in the summer months to a high of 47mm in January, with rainfall days peaking at 17.8 days in September. On the contrary, snowfall is almost absent during the summer months, increasing to an impressive 100mm in March, coupled with a significant escalation in snowfall days.

A noteworthy pattern emerges with sea surface temperatures, oscillating narrowly between 5.1°C to 11.4°C. Furthermore, Reykjavík experiences daylight hours extending from 4.4 to 20.9, causing distinctive shifts in residents' lifestyle across the seasons. Another fascinating observation is the city's consistent visibility, holding at around 9km to 10km across the year.

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Yearly & Monthly weather - Reykjavík, Iceland

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Reykjavík, Iceland - Climate and weather forecast by month. Detailed climate information with charts - average monthly weather with temperature, pressure, humidity, precipitation, wind, daylight, sunshine, visibility, and UV index data. 930616

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I think my settlers would pass on to their offspring how to fish in a way that not only makes sure certain species go extinct, but also a way that will keep the ocean healthy for centuries. They would show them which fish to catch during which seasons and to not take fish that have eggs in them. Overall helping the community to live for many centuries.

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I also think my settlers would pass on the knowledge of the weather patterns to their offspring in-order to make it through the cold winters. They would also teach how to make a properly constructed shelter to keep them warm during the cold seasons, and to keep them dry for when it snows.

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Throughout time, humans have made use of its herbal qualities. Mainly as an contractive as well as to reduce inflammation. Its dried leaves once served as a valuable substitute to highly coveted tobacco and tea.

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Picking berries has always been  a cultural tradition to harvest each season to make a bunch of jams and jellies or, to stock up a healthy addition to desserts such as pies.

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As young children, Icelanders were taught that they could nibble the sour leaves and continued to do so throughout their lives.

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Iceland's located near the North Pole, therefore the amount of daylight hours vary greatly throughout the year. In the winter, daylight is limited, while in the summer, there can be up to 20 hours of light per day.

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The sea in Iceland stays cold year round. With the overall water temperature near Reykjavik being 41°F in February, before it warms ups to around 50°F in July and August

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Reykjavik has a mild winter and cool summer with average highs of 60°F in summer and lows of 29°F in winter. June to August is the warm temperatures and the midnight sun, while in February, March, September, and October it is colder temperatures with better conditions for seeing the northern lights.

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In Reykjavik, the winds are constantly varying throughout the year. It is windiest from October to April, with the peak being January with 15.9mph on average. Then it gets calm from April to October, with July being the most peaceful with an average of 8mph winds.

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Reykjavik gets rain year round, with the rainiest month being September, with an average of 4.5 inches, while June is the driest month, average 2.2 inches of rain.

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Reykjavik was by far the biggest fishing harbor in Iceland in with the volume of cod and other fish species being well above the country’s other harbors. Cod also play a major role in the Icelandic marine ecosystem. With common catch sizes of cod range from 50 to 100 cm.

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Attribution: Whenever you use this photo, you will have to give attribution in a reasonable manner. Distribution: Whenever you distribute this work, you have to mention that the work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution ShareAlike 3.0 License, and provide a link to the Creative Commons Deed.

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The arctic fox is Icelands only native mammal, and it's one of the most well adapted predator for sub-arctic. It can be found all over Iceland, the majority of them inhabit the Westfjords.

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Since Reykjavik is located in the northern hemisphere it snows for roughly 6 months, from October to April. With the snowiest month being January, averaging 9.9 inches of snowfall, and there usually being no snow in the other 6 months.

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The water depths surrounding Port Reykjavik are considered regular in depth, ranging anywhere from 13ft in the shallowest areas to 24ft in the deeper areas. It's not until you leave the port there is an extreme drop in depth, that's roughly 20ft deeper.

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With all of the cargo ships that come in and out of Port Reykjavik, the water has high-turbidity because of the icelandic cold water is that it is very mineral-rich.

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Even though the waves surrounding Iceland are described as danger and choppy because the peninsula's coastline is mostly made up of ancient lava flows where the majority of the waves break on extremely sharp volcanic reefs. Port Reykjavik is shown to have calm wave action with the waves ranging anywhere from 0.1m-0.9m in height.

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With ships constantly coming in and out of Port Reykjavik, it is a risk that excessive nutrients from different areas can get brought into a new ecosystem harming the nearby environment. It is very important, ignorer to protect marine environments near Port Reykjavik, to manage this.