Iceland · Month comparison
February vs September
September ranks #1 overall vs February at #3. Aurora returns, autumn colours explode, crowds drop — the most atmospheric month in Iceland.
February
#3 of 12 months
Best match
Aurora season still strong, days noticeably lengthening, Winter Lights Festival in Reykjavik.
- ↑Reykjavik Winter Lights Festival (mid-Feb): free outdoor light installations across the city for 4 nights
- ↑Days visibly longer than January (6.1h sunshine) — aurora still reliable on clear nights
September
#1 of 12 months
Best match
Aurora returns, autumn colours explode, crowds drop — the most atmospheric month in Iceland.
- ↑Aurora borealis returns from early September as nights grow long enough — first sightings of the new season
- ↑Autumn colours (yellows, reds, oranges across the highlands) peak in September — uniquely photogenic landscapes
| Factor | February | September |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 3 | 6 |
| Value score | 8 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 9 | 7 |
| Events score | 7 | 7 |
| Atmosphere | 8 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 3°C | 10°C |
| Monthly rain | 72mm | 67mm |
| Daily sunshine | 6.1hrs | 8.5hrs |
February trade-offs
- ↓Still cold and icy; wind chill makes -2°C feel significantly colder
- ↓Roads across the interior completely closed; Westfjords and Highlands inaccessible
- ↓Aurora requires patience and clear skies — expect cloud-watching as much as light-chasing
September trade-offs
- ↓Temperatures drop quickly (10°C high); warm layers essential and weather windows shorter
- ↓Highland F-roads closing progressively through September — some interior routes blocked by late month
- ↓Aurora is back but not yet at winter frequency — nights still shorter than January–March
Scores compare months within Iceland. Climate data: Open Meteo ERA5 30-year normals (1991–2020). Methodology →