Reykjavik rainfall record broken in early July

Reykjavik residents have been reaching for umbrellas and rain gear almost daily in July, as the capital city records its wettest first half of the month since measurements began in 1885. The capital received 65.5 millimeters of rain, more than double the average for the first 15 days of July between 1991 and 2020.

This period marks the wettest start to July on record for Reykjavik, according to meteorologist Trausti Jónsson. While the rainfall is exceptionally high, Jónsson notes it is only slightly more than recorded in similar periods in 1971, 1997, and 1998. Rainfall was first measured in Reykjavik in 1885, with a few years of gaps in the data.

Meanwhile, the northern city of Akureyri has experienced near-zero rainfall, with only 1.3 millimeters recorded. Dalatanga in the east saw just 0.3 millimeters, falling short of its 1975 record of no rainfall in early July. Stykkishólmur in the west recorded 66.6 millimeters, its highest ever for the first half of July, though close to its 1977 levels.

Sunshine hours in Reykjavik also fell short, with 58.4 hours recorded, 27 fewer than average. However, this is not a record low, as 2021 saw only 18 sunshine hours in the same period. Akureyri, in contrast, enjoyed 83.3 sunshine hours, about 8 more than average.

The weather has been highly varied across Iceland in early July. The east has been particularly warm, while the southwest has been cool and wet. The east fjords experienced their warmest July start of the century.