Over the festive interval this yr, Iceland has obtained unseasonably chilly climate, with temperatures dropping as little as -23 Celsius (-9F) within the capital area. Up on the ice caps, it has been far colder nonetheless.
For a rustic with the title ‘Iceland’ you may be mistaken for pondering that this can be a regular incidence within the useless of winter. After all, on the twenty first of December in Iceland, we’re solely aware of round 4 hours of direct daylight. Add within the excessive latitude of this remoted nation (64 – 66 levels North), being in the midst of the Atlantic Ocean, skirting the sting of the Arctic Circle, and also you’d be forgiven for anticipating a barren tundra with sub-zero temperatures being the norm.
The actuality is kind of completely different.
It’s not usually this chilly
Despite all of the obvious doom and gloom, Iceland is surprisingly heat over winter (more often than not). The locals don’t simply survive throughout this time, however truly thrive. In reality, the common temperature in winter skates across the Zero Degrees Celsius mark (32 F). This is thanks, in probably the most half, to the Gulf Stream sending up heat water yr spherical. Without this heat stream of water and air, Iceland could be experiencing chilly temperatures like what we’ve been seeing for the previous 2 weeks far more recurrently. This degree of chilly was final recorded in Reykjavík over 100 years in the past, in 1918.
Instead, it’s not essentially assured that you just’ll even get a white Christmas in Iceland, not to mention freezing situations. Don’t get me incorrect, we get loads of snow in winter and loads of chilly snaps to take care of, however in probably the most half it’s far more palatable and manageable.
In essence, Iceland offers a beautiful Arctic expertise with out having to fight harmful sub-zero temperatures like within the north of Norway, Canada and Greenland.
A standard journey to Iceland in winter might embody – mountains topped with snow, reindeer alongside the perimeters of the highway, glaciers glistening blue, and icebergs rhythmically shifting backward and forward with the tides. Oh, and the Northern Lights do make the odd look too.
Will the chilly entrance proceed?
At the time of writing (2nd of January, 2023), it’s nonetheless quite chilly however in Reykjavík proper now, it’s already risen to be above Zero Celsius. A welcome respite. I’ve little doubt the temperature will drop once more within the coming days, based mostly on the forecast, however seemingly nearer to the norms of winter. Thankfully, across the coast of Iceland, particularly within the south the place many vacationers spend nearly all of their time, we’re typically spared from the worst of the chilly.
Blue ice caves, snowmobiling and glacier hikes
So with this yo-yoing temperature above and beneath freezing level you might assume that Iceland’s wintery aesthetic is much less assured than you instantly thought. And for certain, the roads and cities alongside the south are usually not essentially engulfed in snow and ice all winter lengthy, however fortunately Iceland has one pure useful resource that ensures a winter wonderland – the glaciers. They’re even accessible within the balmy summer time months too.
From November till March (my favorite time of yr), the temperature up on the glaciers is chilly sufficient to cut back the melting price of the ice and provides approach to empty caverns of blue ice (the ice caves). These are shaped from the melting ice in summer time carving holes and tunnels into the glacier. When the temperature drops in winter, the rivers of water flowing by way of these cavities on the glacier disappear, forsaking distinctive and non permanent buildings. For a couple of selection months, these caves are protected to enter (with an skilled native information). The hues of blue that emanate in each path whereas exploring these icy behemoths ought to be on everybody’s bucket checklist.
Further up on high of the glaciers, you might be welcome to discover the floor by snowmobile. The greater you get in altitude, the extra seemingly you might be to expertise a thick layer of snow on high of the ice, permitting you to journey at nice speeds by snowmobile (once more, with an skilled information).
Even in summer time, when the temperatures are nearer to fifteen Celsius (60 F), you possibly can strap on a pair of crampons (spikes on your toes) and discover the floor on an adventurous glacier hike.
Is journey in winter one thing I can do myself?
I’m going to contradict myself a bit of right here in any case my speak of it being ‘not that cold’. Iceland has a temperate local weather. This means it’s quite a bit hotter than anticipated. That half is true. However, it additionally means you usually tend to encounter dramatic adjustments in climate patterns from at some point to the subsequent. Sometimes even one hour to the subsequent. So the roads might be icy, the winds might be robust, there might be a flurry of snow, and naturally there’s at all times the possibility of rain too. Don’t get me incorrect, you can too get lovely blue skies and a transparent dusting of snow throughout the panorama, the wintery wonderland that you just had been hoping for.
So with all that contradictory rhetoric taken under consideration, I might recommend that it’s higher to err on the facet of warning in winter. As quickly because it hits round mid-October till roughly mid-April, it’s best to grasp up your driving gloves and belief the locals to point out you round as an alternative. For specialist actions, like those talked about above, it’s a necessity anyway, however I’d hasten so as to add that driving in winter might nearly be thought of a specialist exercise in its personal proper on a number of the days. Thankfully, most guiding firms shall be properly versed within the nuances of the climate patterns in Iceland, have autos designed for winter driving, and make use of skilled drivers to maintain you protected – to not point out that having an area information lead you across the sights provides an additional factor of immersion which you can’t get simply from a information ebook.
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So why not take the stress of monitoring climate, contemplating highway situations and checking for closures out of the equation when travelling to Iceland and simply give attention to the enjoyable stuff, i.e. Northern Lights, Ice Caves, Icelandic horses and the numerous different thrilling issues that Iceland has to supply. Sounds like a good suggestion to me?
See you quickly!
Ryan Connolly is Co-Founder of Hidden Iceland. Hidden Iceland specialises in personal journeys, taking you to a number of the hidden gems of Iceland with a passionate and skilled information.
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