|
Wednesday, 25 March 2009 |
Many are under the assumption that with a name such as Iceland, the country must be freezing cold year round. Those that travel to the small island country likely have their first assumptions reaffirmed when they see its location on the map. Iceland definitely is not a tropical paradise boasting, hot humid days and warm nights. However, those expecting the extreme arctic temperatures of its neighbor, Greenland as well as other Scandinavian friends are in for a surprise.
If someone were to take an opinion survey asking, which city is colder in the winter, New York or Reykjavik Iceland, it’s a safe bet that most would likely respond with the later. Most would be wrong. Many are surprised to find out that the average January temperature in Reykjavik is 35 degrees Fahrenheit, making it much more temperate than the chilling wind and cold of the big apple. Iceland is also quite a small country near in size to the state of Ohio making very little fluctuation throughout the country.
There is a down side to this, however. If you were to take the same cities but alter the question to summer the Reykjavik would definitely be the colder choice. The average July temperature in the city is a cool 56 degrees failing in comparison to the sunny, hot days of New York. It’s true that the country doesn’t see the extreme warmth that other European countries or cities across North America achieve. It’s mild, temperate and tourists need to prepare themselves.
Iceland lies in the extreme far North of the Atlantic Ocean, near to the tundra. However its climate is greatly influenced by the North Atlantic current that warms the area slightly and rescues it from the extreme and harsh weather of similar placed that share the same latitude.
Iceland is prone to high winds and heavy dust storms. Although the wind speed is greater in the higher regions of the country, the debris from the lowlands can create havoc and reduce visibility. The average wind speed in the country is approximately 50 miles per hour at its peak. On a more positive note, Iceland is a virtual stranger to thunderstorms. This phenomenon is highly rare with 5 storms in an entire year being a large number.
Visitors to Iceland do not need to prepare for the extreme Arctic temperatures of other places as far north. When visiting in the winter it is recommended that you take the same clothing that you would visiting virtually any other city across the North United States or Southern Canada. Summer time one should dress for early the early spring months in other areas. You can probably leave the shorts and sun tan oil at home but there will likely be need for light clothing, a good comfortable walking shoes. Another essential element is your swimsuit. Although Iceland is far from a warm country, it boasts some of the world’s warmest and most beautiful thermal pools.
Preparing for a trip to Iceland is not as difficult as one may think. Just remember a famous saying; the coldest thing about Iceland is the name.
Click here to go to the front page of ReykjavikHotel.net...Reykjavik Hotels
|
Home 
Reykjavik articles 
