How to dress for a Northern Lights expedition in Iceland

When are you likely to be out hunting for the Northern Lights in Iceland?

The long hours of daylight that you will experience during an Icelandic summer mean that your aurora hunt is going to take place outside peak season. That means that you won’t be standing around in the warmer temperatures characteristic of June and July. Instead, the Northern Lights typically make an appearance at random intervals between late August and mid April.

Statistics show that there’s a higher chance of seeing the aurora borealis around the time of the spring and autumn equinoxes, in March and September respectively. However, a lot of visitors to Iceland like to come in the winter in an attempt not only to see the Northern Lights but also to experience the long hours of darkness and snow on the ground.

How do average temperatures in Iceland compare across spring, autumn and winter?

Early and late in that period, you might be lucky with mild, calm weather. If you’re planning a winter excursion it’s likely to be colder. Nevertheless Iceland, especially in the south such as on the Reykjanes peninsula, often experiences slightly higher temperatures than locations north of the Arctic Circle – the kind of places aurora hunters tend to go in Nordic countries such as Norway, Sweden and Finland.

According to the weather website Accuweather, in January 2024 Keflavik recorded temperatures as mild as 8°C, with a maximum overnight low of -12°C. Typically during a winter night you can expect it to hover just above or just below freezing. In the shoulder seasons, it can be warmer, but there are no guarantees.

Remember too, that when there are clear skies – and you’ll need them to see the aurora – any heat that has been accumulating during the day will start to be lost as soon as the sun goes down. That means that the later into the evening it gets, the more the temperature will plummet. The Northern Lights often show up in the hours just either side of midnight by which time the air can be very cold.

Is wind likely to be troublesome if you’re out looking for the aurora?

Another thing to factor in is the wind chill, particularly if you are planning to stake out a spot close to the Icelandic coast. This can make it feel much colder than it actually is, so if you can find somewhere that you can tuck yourself out of the wind it will make a huge difference to how you’ll feel after being outside for a while.

Incidentally, the wind can also cause issues if you’re hoping to photograph the Northern Lights, as it can make it much harder for you to keep your camera or smartphone from shaking. Of course you can take a tripod out with you, but that too is going to need to be sturdy or it will vibrate too, causing your long exposure images to blur.

What to wear for your Northern Lights hunt in Iceland

We’ve seen that you’re likely to need to cope with prolonged periods out in the cold and also wind. Fortunately one thing you won’t need to worry much about is rain, sleet or snow. If the skies are cloudy enough for precipitation, those same clouds are going to obscure the Northern Lights and your hunt will be a washout.

Staying warm is likely to mean donning multiple layers. If you’ve booked to join a specialist tour such as a Northern Lights boat trip, the tour operator will supply you with heavy duty overalls to keep you warm, but if you’re planning on hunting for the aurora independently on land, you’ll need to take care of yourself.

When you’re packing for your winter Iceland trip, think about how you might trap body heat without also trapping moisture which can have a cooling effect – just what you don’t want. So breathable layers are the way to go. Start with a nice cosy thermal base layer; it shouldn’t be too bulky.

On top, layer up garments such as wool sweaters or high-performance fleeces. These will keep your torso nice and warm. Don’t forget your legs: add a pair of thermal long johns under your trousers. If you’re tall, make sure they are long enough so that they don’t ride up your calves. You might want to tuck them into your socks so there is no bare skin in between.

Wool socks and thick-soled boots are vital to keeping your feet warm – nothing makes you as miserable as cold creeping upwards from the ground. Likewise, as a considerable amount of heat is lost from the top of your head, make sure you have a hat that’s up to the job. It should be snug enough to stay on during windy conditions. If you are considering a hood instead (or as well), make sure its trim doesn’t obscure your peripheral vision when fastened; you’re going to want an uninterrupted view of the sky without having to crane your neck.

Think about how you are going to protect your face. When it’s cold, the body conserves energy by reducing blood flow to its extremities, which is why we often get a cold nose even if our body feels OK. The lack of fat – it’s mostly cartilage and bone – compounds the problem. A snood or scarf that you can pull up over your cheeks and nose is therefore useful. If it’s windy, keep your scarf firmly tucked into your jacket so it doesn’t whip around or blow away.

A decent pair of gloves will also be necessary; if you are aiming to photograph the Northern Lights you can buy specialist garments where the fingertips can be folded back or those which can operate touch screens. Consider carrying some hand warmers which you can use periodically to ease the effect of the cold if necessary.

Finally, but most important of all is a decent all-weather coat. It needs to be heavy enough to cope with low temperatures and large enough so that you can still slip it on over the multiple base layers you’ve chosen and allow movement. Make sure it is windproof and, so that it will be just as useful during the rest of your trip, it may as well be waterproof as well.


A quintessentially Icelandic twist to dressing for the Northern Lights

Iceland’s geothermal heat means there is another potential item of clothing that you might end up wearing while you’re observing the Northern Lights: a swimsuit. Spas such as the Blue Lagoon are open well into the evening, and it’s possible that you might catch sight of the aurora while you are luxuriating in the hot water. Some bathers also add a bobble hat to their ensemble and you won’t look out of place if you follow suit.

However you plan to hunt for the Northern Lights in the Reykjanes region, dressing appropriately for your outdoor adventure is really important to your enjoyment. You don’t want to have to cut your expedition short and then find the aurora put on an incredible show after you headed back indoors to warm up!