Iceland in September

September is Iceland's overlap month: the northern lights season starts while the roads are still in summer condition, the highlands remain reachable for a last few weeks, and the country empties out as prices fall. Reykjavík averages about 8 °C, daylight slides from nearly 15 hours to under 12, and the first autumn storms remind you where you are. For many repeat visitors it is quietly the best month of the year.

Weather And Daylight

Expect genuine autumn: daytime highs around 12 °C early in the month easing to about 9 °C by its end, frequent showers, strengthening wind, and the first frosts inland and in the north. Daylight is the bigger story - about 14¾ hours on 1 September shrinking to roughly 11¾ by the 30th, losing six to seven minutes a day. That still leaves ample sightseeing time, and crucially it restores real darkness at night, which is what reopens the aurora window.

The Aurora Season Starts Here

Auroras become visible again from late August, and September is the first full month of the season. The weeks around the autumn equinox (22 September) are statistically active, and September hunting is far more comfortable than midwinter: milder nights, ice-free roads, and no need to plan around four-hour days. What you give up is total darkness hours. Watch the cloud-cover and aurora forecast at en.vedur.is and be ready to drive out of cloud.

Highlands: Last Call

Early September is the endgame for the highland season. Roads such as F208 to Landmannalaugar typically remain open into the month with thinning crowds - and a soak in the Landmannalaugar hot spring with autumn colours on the rhyolite is a strong argument for coming now. But closures begin from late September as snow returns to altitude, and mountain weather turns wintry well ahead of the coast. Go early in the month, keep plans conditional, and check umferdin.is daily.

Events: Réttir And RIFF

September is réttir season - the annual sheep round-ups, when farmers and neighbours ride into the mountains to bring the sheep down and sort them in communal pens, followed by singing and celebration. Round-ups happen across the country from early September to mid-October, and many welcome visitors. In the capital, the Reykjavík International Film Festival (RIFF) runs 24 September – 4 October in 2026, screening around 80 features from emerging directors worldwide.

What You Will Miss

Honesty section: the puffins are gone - colonies empty in mid-August, so no September puffin photos. The midnight sun is long over. Some highland buses, huts and remote summer services wind down through the month, and whale-watching schedules thin after the peak, though tours continue from the main harbours. If wildlife is the priority, aim for May–July instead; see the full seasonal guide for the trade-offs.

Driving In September

Among the year's best driving months: summer surfaces, shoulder-season traffic, and enough daylight for long legs of the Ring Road. A 2WD remains fine on paved roads in normal conditions. The autumn caveat is weather volatility - the first serious low-pressure systems arrive, bringing wind that can stagger a high-sided vehicle and rain that floods gravel - so make the morning conditions check a habit and keep a buffer day. October tightens everything further; if you are choosing between them, see Iceland in October.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can You See The Northern Lights In Iceland In September?

Yes - September is the first full month of the aurora season. Nights are properly dark again from late August, and the weeks around the autumn equinox (22 September) often bring elevated geomagnetic activity. Compared with midwinter you trade some hours of darkness for milder temperatures and better road conditions. Check the aurora and cloud-cover forecast at en.vedur.is each evening.

What Is The Weather Like In Iceland In September?

Autumn arriving in real time. Reykjavík averages around 8 °C over the month, with daytime highs sliding from about 12 °C early on to 9 °C by month's end, and the first proper autumn storms can appear, especially in the second half. Rain is frequent but rarely constant. Pack for layers, waterproofs and wind - and for possible frost inland and in the north.

Are The Highlands Still Open In September?

Early September, usually yes: F-roads such as F208 to Landmannalaugar generally remain open into September, huts run reduced services, and the crowds are gone. But closures begin as snow returns - some routes close during late September, most by early-to-mid October, and mountain weather turns wintry well before the lowlands. Treat September highland plans as conditional and check umferdin.is daily.

What Is Réttir And Can Visitors Join?

Réttir is the annual sheep round-up, when farmers ride into the mountains to herd their sheep home for winter and sort them in communal pens - one of Iceland's oldest living traditions, running from early September to mid-October around the country. Many round-ups welcome respectful visitors, and some farms let guests take part; dates are local, so check regional listings or ask hosts where you are staying.

Is September A Good Month To Drive The Ring Road?

One of the best. Roads are still in summer condition, a 2WD is usually fine on the paved network, daylight is ample (11–15 hours), accommodation prices drop and the summer crowds thin noticeably. The caveats: the first autumn low-pressure systems bring wind and rain, especially late in the month, so build in a spare day and check umferdin.is and the forecast each morning.

What Has Already Closed Or Left By September?

Puffins - the colonies empty in mid-August, so September visitors will not see them. Some highland buses and huts wind down through the month, whale-watching schedules thin after the summer peak (though tours still run, especially from Reykjavík and Akureyri), and a few remote summer-only services close. Everything on the main tourist circuit remains open.

Sources

Temperatures rounded from Icelandic Met Office climate data; daylight figures calculated for Reykjavík. Réttir information from Visit Iceland; RIFF 2026 dates from riff.is; road status via umferdin.is. Checked July 2026. Weather and closing dates vary by year - confirm current conditions when you travel.

Last updated: 2026-08-02 · Reviewed against official sources.