Seasons in Iceland
Storm season runs October to April
Iceland is in its storm season right now, October to April. Most trips are unaffected, but a storm reroutes flights and closes beaches at a day's notice — the packing consequence is a buffer day and a charged power bank, not different clothes.
Going in November
The stormy half of the year. Wind, not cold, is what closes roads and cancels flights here, and it can do both at a few hours' notice.
What this means for your bag
Something genuinely windproof
Wind is what makes the cold unbearable here, and an umbrella is useless in it. A hood that closes, and gloves.
See the Weather Protection packA packable rain shell
Not a winter coat — it stays warm through the rain. A light hooded shell that folds into its own pocket ends up in the day bag instead of the hotel room.
See the Weather Protection packA buffer day, and your documents on your phone
Storms reroute and cancel flights at short notice. Leave a day between the trip and anything unmissable, and keep bookings and insurance available offline.
See the Travel Documents Pack packLayers, not one thick coat
Three thin layers beat one heavy one: they cover a wider range and pack smaller. A base layer, a fleece and a shell.
See the Winter Warmth Kit pack
Cold, dark and wet rather than deeply freezing — Reykjavík hovers around zero. The wind is what makes it feel far colder than the thermometer says.
What this means for your bag
Layers, not one thick coat
Three thin layers beat one heavy one: they cover a wider range and pack smaller. A base layer, a fleece and a shell.
See the Winter Warmth Kit packSomething genuinely windproof
Wind is what makes the cold unbearable here, and an umbrella is useless in it. A hood that closes, and gloves.
See the Weather Protection packShoes that survive being soaked
Streets flood faster than they drain. Sandals or mesh trainers dry overnight; leather does not, and one wet pair means walking in wet shoes all week.
See the Active & Adventure pack
Build a packing plan around the season you are actually travelling in.