Reykjavík had 261 days of precipitation in 2018, a record for the city. RÚV reports the capital region also received only 1,163 hours of sunshine in 2018, about 100 fewer than average and the fewest recorded since 1992. The data comes from meteorologist Trausti Jónsson.
Precipitation measured 1059.2mm (41.7in) in Reykjavík in 2018, around 30% more than the average annual amount. More precipitation in a single year has only been recorded seven times in the city, most recently in 2007. Days when precipitation exceeded 1.0mm (0.04in) numbered 183 last year. Only the years 1953 and 1921 had more such days. Akureyri, North Iceland, also neared its record for precipitation last year, with 40% more than average.
High average temperatures across Iceland
The year was relatively warm around the country. According to Trausti, the average temperature in Reykjavík in 2018 was 5.1°C (41.18°F) last year, making 2018 one of the 30 warmest years recorded. In Akureyri, last year’s average temperature was 4.6°C (40.28°F), the 14th highest recorded. In Dalatangi, East Iceland, the average temperature was 5.2°C (41.36°F), the fourth warmest ever recorded in the area.
