Iceland March — aurora borealis over mountain silhouettes and clouds reflected in Álftavatn lake at the vernal equinox

Iceland · Iceland

March

Vernal equinox = perfect aurora window; snow still on mountains, fewer tourists than peak winter.

Best match

#4 of 12 months

There are better months for Iceland — see the full ranking below.

See when to go instead →

Climate

High

4°C

Low

-1°C

Rain

62mm

Sun

7.5hrs/day

30-year climate normals · Open Meteo ERA5

How March scores in Iceland

Weather
Average
Value
Excellent
Crowds
Excellent
Events
Good
Atmosphere
Excellent

What you gain in March

  • 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
  • Crowds beginning to recover from January lows but still far below summer — Golden Circle manageable

What you sacrifice

  • 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

How March compares to September (best month)

FactorMarchSeptember
Weather
4
6
Value
8
6
Crowds
8
7

March in other destinations

Climate data: 30-year normals (1991–2020) from Open Meteo ERA5 reanalysis. Scores compare months within Iceland, not across destinations. Methodology →