Iceland · Month comparison
March vs September
September ranks #1 overall vs March at #4. Aurora returns, autumn colours explode, crowds drop — the most atmospheric month in Iceland.
March
#4 of 12 months
Best match
Vernal equinox = perfect aurora window; snow still on mountains, fewer tourists than peak winter.
- ↑Equinox effect amplifies geomagnetic activity — statistically some of the best aurora conditions of the year
- ↑Snow remains on the highlands and mountains; dramatic white landscapes without December darkness
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 | March | September |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 4 | 6 |
| Value score | 8 | 6 |
| Crowd score | 8 | 7 |
| Events score | 6 | 7 |
| Atmosphere | 8 | 9 |
| Avg high temp | 4°C | 10°C |
| Monthly rain | 62mm | 67mm |
| Daily sunshine | 7.5hrs | 8.5hrs |
March trade-offs
- ↓Temperatures still cold and variable; snow and ice on secondary roads remain hazardous
- ↓End of March marks the practical end of aurora season as nights become too short
- ↓Rainfall slightly lower than winter but weather unpredictability remains high
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 →