Late spring · Weather & things to do
Jökulsárlón in May
Jökulsárlón edges warmer than April, with highs of 42°F (6°C), lows of 37°F (3°C) and about 4.3 in (109 mm) of rain.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 38/100, 4th of 12.
- Avg high
- 42°F (6°C)
- Avg low
- 37°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 4.3 in (109 mm)
- Humidity
- 84%
- Cloud cover
- 80%
- Daylight
- ~17 h 55 min
- Comfort score
- 38/100 · Tough
What May feels like
It's cool, with highs near 42°F (6°C), so a proper jacket stays on most of the day.
Lows average 37°F (3°C).
Showers are part of the month, adding up to about 4.3 in (109 mm).
Skies are often grey, with average cloud cover around 80%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 12 mph (5.3 m/s) at ground level.
Long days help: there are roughly 17 h 55 min of daylight mid-month.
Plan around May
May sits mid-table; the best months are June – August.
- Comfort improves from 27/100 in April to 38/100.
- Our Iceland Ring Road route recommends Jun – Sep, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- Insulated jackethighs only 42°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaa shower or two is likely
- Windproof shellaverage wind 12 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Jökulsárlón in May
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Jökulsárlón boat tour
Amphibious boat or zodiac trips among the icebergs.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best May–Oct.
Þórbergssetur
Hali farm cultural center and restaurant serving local char and lamb.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 42°F.
Fjallsárlón
Smaller lagoon right under the glacier tongue with fewer crowds.
Frost Restaurant
Buffet restaurant at the Fjallsárlón visitor center with glacier views.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Skaftafell
Vatnajökull National Park area with glacier walks and the Svartifoss trail.
Nearby in May
- Vík in May~96 mi · highs 46°F, 4.9 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Mývatn in May~108 mi · highs 40°F, 2.8 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, drier
- Reykjavík in May~172 mi · highs 48°F, 3.7 in rain · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Jökulsárlón in May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit Jökulsárlón?
It's middling, scoring 38/100. The best months are June – August, at up to 47. Expect highs of 42°F (6°C) and 4.3 in (109 mm) of rain. Our Iceland Ring Road route recommends Jun – Sep, so May is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Jökulsárlón in May?
Average highs are 42°F (6°C) and average lows 37°F (3°C), making it the 5th-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Jökulsárlón in May?
Some: about 4.3 in (109 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 2nd-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 93.6 in (2377 mm).
What should I pack for Jökulsárlón in May?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 42°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (a shower or two is likely), windproof shell (average wind 12 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Jökulsárlón
Planning Jökulsárlón in May?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.