Visiting Iceland in March: What weather can you expect?

Published 12 Feb 2020

An increasingly popular travel destination, Iceland is a country of icebergs, hot springs, and the Aurora Borealis. As this island sits just outside the arctic circle in the North Atlantic, it often experiences changeable and extreme weather throughout the year.

Visiting Iceland in March is a great option if you want fewer crowds but still want to catch the snow. This stunning country has so many wonderful surprises but when it comes to the weather, you’ll want to be prepared. 

Keep reading to find out what weather you can expect during springtime in Iceland. 

lighthouse in Iceland

Temperature

The average temperature in Iceland in March is around 35°F (2°C). Lows are around 28°F (-2°C) and highs average around 37°F (3°C). As you can see, it’s not the warmest place you could be in March!

The temperature during March in Iceland is also affected by the windchill. On windy days, it can feel colder than it is and on sunny, still days, it can feel warmer. No matter what the sun is doing though, you’ll always need to dress up warm in March. 

When you explore Iceland by RV, you’ve got a cozy place to hang out. Motorhomes and RVs come with inbuilt heating so sleeping out on the road is easy. 

Sunshine

March isn’t the sunniest month but it’s much sunnier than the winter. March has around 5 hours of sunshine each day with majority overcast skies. Rain and snow are also common in March so taking waterproofs is advised. 

When the sun comes out though, you’ll have the most phenomenal views imaginable. 

The famous blue lagoon near Reykjavik, Iceland

Daylight hours

In the depths of winter, Iceland gets 4 hours of daylight, making it hard to explore. March is a whole different story though, with over 10 hours at the beginning of the month and 13 by the end. 

With this amount of daylight hours, you can spend all day exploring Reykjavik and going into the heart of the island in search of its secrets. Don’t forget to stop off at the Blue Lagoon geothermal pool. No matter what temperature the air is, these waters are paradise. 

The Northern Lights

March is a great time to have a chance at spotting the Northern Lights. Darkness still falls at a reasonably early time, giving you plenty of hours of dark skies to watch. While no one can predict when the lights will appear, March is the best month to see them, along with September. 

Iceland in March is the best of both worlds

When you visit Iceland in March, you’ll have a solid chunk of daylight hours to explore the beautiful towns and landscapes. As dark falls between around 7 pm and 10 pm during this month, you’ll also be able to spend time looking for the Aurora Borealis at night. 

March is off-season in Iceland so you’ll get to enjoy the island without the crowds of warmer months. Dress warmly and be prepared for any weather type so you can embrace the changeable conditions. 
If you want to explore this beautiful island by RV in comfort, get in touch with us to ask any questions or book. Hitting the road will show you the most fantastic scenery you’ll ever see.