SeasonMapAkureyri weather in May
Iceland
May in Akureyri: cold, a little rain, with clean air — a great time to visit.
#4 of 12 months in Akureyri · #865 of 1383 destinations to visit in May · comfort 76/100 (tier B)
Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis
Traveller notes on Akureyri in May
Other months in Akureyri
Akureyri's forum calls July genuinely variable even by Icelandic standards — anywhere from 10 to 20°C, with rain, sun and wind all realistic on any given day, and the north running noticeably cooler than the south of the country. Regulars' standard advice is long sleeves as a base layer regardless, with a proper waterproof on hand for when the weather turns.
Add your own note from Akureyri's card on the map.
Akureyri climate normals — May
| Daytime high | 11°C / 52°F | 🧥 cold |
|---|---|---|
| Nighttime low | 3°C / 37°F | |
| Feels like (high) | 9°C / 48°F | |
| Rainfall | 65 mm / 2.5 in | 🌦 some rain |
| Rainy days | 13 days | |
| Humidity | 82% | 💦 very humid |
| Dew point | 0°C / 33°F | |
| Sunshine | 11.4 h/day | |
| Daylight | 19.2 h | |
| Wind | 10 km/h / 6 mph | |
| Snowfall | 25.1 cm / 9.9 in | |
| Air quality (US AQI) | 36 | 🍃 good |
Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.
Crowds in Akureyri in May
How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.
Shoulder seasonschool holidays in 4 of the markets that fill it, an ordinary month(estimated)
Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet
Best months for Akureyri's weather
Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).
Fair weatherAkureyri's weather peaks June–August, best around July.
Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather
What's on in Akureyri in May
Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.
- Nature
Whales in Eyjafjordur
1 May – 30 Sep · usuallyWhale seasonHumpbacks work the length of the fjord through the summer and the boats leave from the town quay rather than a separate harbour. Sailings stop for wind, not for cold.
Nearby, and something's on
Within 300 km of Akureyri — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.
Where is Akureyri?
Akureyri in May — FAQ
- Is May a good time to visit Akureyri?
- May in Akureyri: cold, a little rain, with clean air — a great time to visit. It ranks #4 of 12 months for Akureyri on SeasonMap's comfort score (76/100).
- What is the weather like in Akureyri in May?
- In May, Akureyri averages a daily high of 11.3°C and a low of 2.7°C, with about 64.6 mm of rain over roughly 13.4 rainy days.
- What is the air quality in Akureyri in May?
- Akureyri has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 36 in May.
- Does it snow in Akureyri in May?
- Akureyri sees roughly 25.1 cm of snowfall in May.
Other months in Akureyri
Compare Akureyri in May
Warmer or cooler than Akureyri in May
Similar destinations in Northern Europe — May
Within 300 km: Reykjavík's Whale watching season around 1 Apr – 15 Oct, and Vík's Puffins on the cliffs around 1 May – 10 Aug.