30YearWeather
Reykjavik, May 1
Reykjavik street view during May
Historical Weather Analysis

Reykjavik Weather on May 1 — Best Time to Visit?

Based on 30 years of historical data, we have the answer.

cloudy

7.7°C

High

1.9°C

Low

34%

Rain

❄️ Feels like 4.3°C (wind chill)

partly-cloudy-day
YES, GOOD CHOICE
Holiday

May 1 is generally a great time to visit Reykjavik. While there is a slight chance of rain (34%), showers are usually brief. Expect comfortable 8°C weather. You'll find plenty of company in Reykjavik this month as tourism activity remains quite robust. Note: May 1 is May Day in Reykjavik, so expect special events, closures, and festive atmosphere.

Currency

ISK

kr Icelandic króna

Language

Icelandic

Driving

Right side

Safety

Very High Safety

GPI: 1.107

Reykjavik Weather Forecast for May 1

"Mild & Comfortable. Expect average highs of 7.7°C. 34% chance of snow."

What to Wear in Reykjavik in May

Based on historical data for May 1, Reykjavik typically experiences temperatures between 1.9°C and 7.7°C. We recommend packing heavy coat, scarf, gloves along with other layers to stay comfortable. With a 34% chance of rain, keeping a raincoat or umbrella handy is a smart move.

Complete Packing Guide

Weekly breakdown & essential items for Reykjavik

View Guide

Smart Suitcase

  • Heavy Coat
  • Scarf
  • Gloves
  • Umbrella

Average High

extreme-hot

7.7°C

Daytime Peak

Average Low

extreme-cold

1.9°C

Nighttime Low

Feels Like

partly-cloudy-day

4.3°C

❄️ Slightly colder

Snow Chance

snow

34%

Avg 2.3mm if it snows

Snowfall

snow

0.2 cm

~34% chance

Pressure

pressure

1014.2 hPa

High volatility

Reykjavik Weather Conditions & UV Index

Weather Confidence

30-year variance analysis

81%Highly Predictable

Based on 10 years of data

Temperature
±2.4°CStable
Precipitation
17-70%Unpredictable

🎯 This date historically delivers consistent weather 81% of the time. Safe to plan outdoor activities with confidence.

Sun Exposure

UV Index & Safety Guide

2.4Low
036811+

Protection Needed

SPF 15 for extended outdoor time

Time to Sunburn

Type I-II

🔴 33 min to burn

Type III-IV

🟡 50 min to burn

Type V-VI

🟢 83 min to burn

UV estimate based on latitude, season & cloud cover. Actual UV may vary.

Outdoor Comfort

How pleasant is it outside?

46Poor
TemperatureCool
HumidityMuggy
WindBreezy

Dew Point

3.9°C

Dry air

Heat Stress

Low

No heat warning

😕 Best outdoor time:
Midday (11 AM - 3 PM) when warmest

Marine Conditions

Water Temp
6.2°C
🥶 Polar Plunge
Avg daily surface temperature
Surf Conditions
0.92m
🌊 Fun Waves
Max daily wave height
Advisories

Marine Life

No special warnings. Enjoy the swim!

Swim Index

❄️ Cold Water Hazard

Travel & Logistics Insights

Local Calendar

Holiday

May Day

Flight Traffic

Busy

64/100 pressure index

Health Advisory

Required

1 vaccine • View Details →

Landing Slots

~70

Daily arrival options (inc. codeshare)

Sunrise, Sunset & Wind in Reykjavik

Daylight & Sun

Solar Elevation Cycle

🌅 Sunrise

05:01

☀️ Noon

13:26

🌇 Sunset

21:50

⏱️ Daylight

16h 48m

Golden Hour
Morning05:01 - 06:14
20:37 - 21:50Evening

Wind Speed

wind

21.2 km/h

Moderate wind

Sunshine

clear-day

9.8 hrs

Direct Sun (Cloud-free)

Humidity

humidity

77%

Humid / Damp

Travel Intelligence

Exclusive flight analytics & health data for Reykjavik

Smart Flight Estimator

Airport-to-Airport Logistics

unlock smart flight estimates

Add your home location in settings to see airport details.

Travel Health & Safety in Reykjavik

Travel Comfort Index

Real-time tourism conditions

Weather Quality

⛅ Good

73/100

Tourist Crowds

🟡 Busy

85/100

Price Level

💰💰💰 Expensive

85/100

Health & Wellbeing

Meteo-Health Forecast

70Score
Atmospheric Pressure1014.2 hPa
Volatility:High
Migraine RiskHigh

Rapid pressure changes detected. High risk for meteosensitive people.

Joint Pain RiskLow

Weather unlikely to affect joint pain.

Fishing IndexExcellent

Fish are active due to pressure changes.

Air Quality Forecast
33AQI
Good
PM2.5 Concentration2 µg/m³

Air quality is excellent. Perfect for outdoor activities.

Regional Safety Profile

High

Seismic Activity

Active seismic zone. Multiple earthquakes per year.

Total events (30y):190
In May (30y):14
Last in May:2025-05-24
💡 Earthquake risk elevated. Download a seismic alert app.

Travel Alert: This region has elevated natural risks. We recommend registering with your embassy and keeping emergency numbers handy.

"According to 30YearWeather's analysis of 30 years of NASA satellite data, Reykjavik on May 1 averages 7.7°C with a 34% precipitation probability. Wedding/Outdoor Event Score: 49/100."

— Source: 30YearWeather.com|Data: NASA POWER (1991-2021)|View Methodology

Reykjavik Weather History (2010–2024)

Temperature History

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Hall of Fame

Records from last 10 years

Hottest
2019
14.2°C
Coldest
2023
-3°C
Rainiest
2017
22.6mm

Better Alternatives Nearby

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💡 Moving your event by a few days could significantly improve weather conditions

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Same date (May 1) in other destinations

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📍 Is Reykjavik Worth Visiting on May 1?

Planning a trip to Reykjavik on May 1? Our historical weather analysis based on 30 years of NASA satellite data shows that this time of year offers a bracing seasonal atmosphere averaging 7.7°C with a 34% historical precipitation risk.

🎉 Local Event: The date coincides with May Day, which may influence local business hours and event availability.

✈️ Travel Logistics: Approximately 70 landing slots available daily during this period, indicating manageable crowd levels.

💉 Health Advisory: 6 vaccinations are recommended for Iceland, including COVID-19.

🌊 Coastal Conditions: Water temperature averages 6.2°C (polar plunge). Wave conditions are generally fun waves with heights around 0.92m.

📊 Historical Extremes: The hottest May 1 recorded in the last 30 years saw temperatures hit 14.2°C in 2019, while the coldest dropped to -3°C in 2023.

Reykjavik Weather FAQ