Mid-winter · Weather & things to do
Vík in January
This is the coldest month in Vík: highs average 38°F (3°C) and lows 32°F (0°C), with about 9.8 in (250 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 19/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 38°F (3°C)
- Avg low
- 32°F (0°C)
- Rain
- 9.8 in (250 mm)
- Humidity
- 88%
- Cloud cover
- 78%
- Daylight
- ~5 h 12 min
- Comfort score
- 19/100 · Tough
What January feels like
Real cold sets in, with afternoon highs around 38°F (3°C).
After dark, temperatures fall to about 32°F (0°C).
It's a very wet month, with around 9.8 in (250 mm) of rain, so keep plans flexible and have indoor backups ready.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 78%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 15 mph (6.5 m/s) at ground level.
Only about 5 h 12 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around January
January is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – August.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, December – February.
- Comfort holds steady from December (20 → 19/100).
- Our Iceland Ring Road route recommends Jun – Sep, so January falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for January
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 32°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Windproof shellaverage wind 15 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Vík in January
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Halldórskaffi
Cozy cafe in the old Brydebúð merchant house with soups and cakes.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 9.8 in of rain.
Smiðjan Brugghús
Vík craft brewery and burger bar.
Why now Easy to slot in when January's rain moves in.
Víkurkirkja
Red-roofed hillside church overlooking Vík and the sea stacks.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 9.8 in of rain.
Suður-Vík
Restaurant in an old house serving lamb, burgers and Asian dishes.
Why now Keeps part of the day dry on wetter January days.
Sólheimajökull glacier walk
Guided glacier hike on an outlet of Mýrdalsjökull with crampons and axes.
Nearby in January
- Jökulsárlón in January~96 mi · highs 36°F, 11.2 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, wetter
- Reykjavík in January~103 mi · highs 36°F, 6.7 in rain · 1°C (2°F) cooler by day, drier
- Mývatn in January~162 mi · highs 29°F, 3.2 in rain or snow · 5°C (9°F) cooler by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~194 m to Vík's ~30 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Vík in January: quick answers
Is January a good time to visit Vík?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 19/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – August. Expect highs of 38°F (3°C) and 9.8 in (250 mm) of rain. Our Iceland Ring Road route recommends Jun – Sep, so January is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Vík in January?
Average highs are 38°F (3°C) and average lows 32°F (0°C), making it the coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Vík in January?
Yes: about 9.8 in (250 mm) of rain falls across January on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 93.2 in (2368 mm).
What should I pack for Vík in January?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 32°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain), windproof shell (average wind 15 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Planning Vík in January?
Share this January plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.