This summer Akureyri has seen three times the amount of “summer days” than Reykjavík, according to the criteria of Hungurdiskar.
The definition of a “summer day” according to Trausti Jónsson, who publishes the results, is a day where there’s no precipitation in at least three of the four observation periods; if it does rain between 9:00-18:00, it must not surpass 2mm. Additionally, it may not be completely cloudy during all four observation periods. The average temperature must be at least 13.1°C, and the maximum temperature at 18:00 must be over 15°C.
Considering these factors, Akureyri has seen three times the amount of summer days than Reykjavík during the May-August period in 2021, Vísir reports. Overall, Akureyri has seen 70 “summer days” this year: 5 in May, 12 in June, 22 in July and a remarkable 30 in August. There have never been more summer days counted since they began being recorded in the 1950’s. Reykjavík, by contrast, has only experienced 24 “summer days” from May to August: 2 in June, 10 in July and 12 in August.
By all accounts, it’s been an uncharacteristic summer for most of Iceland. With September just beginning, it’s yet to be seen what, if any, records will be broken this month.
Note: Due to the effect the Coronavirus is having on tourism in Iceland, it’s become increasingly difficult for the Grapevine to survive. If you enjoy our content and want to help the Grapevine’s journalists do things like eat and pay rent, please consider joining our High Five Club.
You can also check out our shop, loaded with books, apparel and other cool merch, that you can buy and have delivered right to your door.
Also you can get regular news from Iceland—including the latest notifications on eruptions, as soon as they happen—by signing up to our newsletter.
Buy subscriptions, t-shirts and more from our shop right here!
