Aurora forecast / October

Northern lights in Iceland in October

Strong odds and long nights, with winter arriving.

October has plenty of darkness and still-manageable weather. The nights lengthen quickly through the month, so late October is materially better than early October. Highland roads close during the month, so plan around the ring road and the accessible dark-sky spots near it.

How dark does it get in October?

  • Reykjavík: 10.8 hours dark enough for aurora
  • Akureyri: 10.8 hours dark enough for aurora

Measured on the 15th of the month — the hours the sun sits far enough below the horizon for aurora to be visible.

Roads and access in October

F-roads close through the month; ring road normally fine but the first winter storms arrive.

What else is happening

The first ice caves open toward the end of the month.

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Tonight's aurora forecast · Iceland weather map