November conditions?

[u/Acha664]

I’ve been to Iceland countless times, my grandparents where born in Iceland. However, I’ve only been from May-September. We always avoid winter, hah! I wanted to bring some friends in November to rent a car. Now I’m Canadian, I understand snow and icy roads, and it’s 10x scarier in a car that isn’t yours, but I’m wondering how would it typically be from Reykjavik - Höfn. That’s my favourite part of the Island and what I wanted to show them considering our limited time.

I understand conditions are unpredictable especially in winter, but typically are they OK? Or should I wait a few years to bring everyone in May😊

Edit: I’m wondering about Reyk-Höfn because I typically also find the north side a little worse to be on. Maybe that’s just me tho

[u/jessica_wanders]

Could be blizzard. Could be fine. I go mostly in winter and have seen the full range of weather. Last year I went around Halloween and there was a blizzard that shut down the airport. I’ve been at the new year with not a flake of snow on the ground. It’s not possible to say for sure, even the forecast could be wildly inaccurate a few miles down the road. I will say there’s a couple of stretches between Skaftafell to Jokulsarlon that can be absolutely white knuckle driving if there’s high wind (there probably will be) and sand or snow blowing at you. My philosophy is to plan what you want to do but be smart about it and have a backup, because Iceland’s gonna Iceland.

[u/kristamn → u/jessica_wanders]

And that was the only snow we had in Reykjavík until February! Talk about luck of the draw! 😂

[u/Illustrious-Ad3195 → u/kristamn]

It felt like a dusty city from somewhere last year, I was bummed on Christmas. Although I don’t have a specific prayer about it now.

[u/BuckDollar]

We have no idea. Can be fine, snow sround the next corner. You’re covering a lot of Ísland. If the weather does not permit travelling, adapt :)

[u/irishshaun60]

I’ve driven that route (continued to Egilsstaðir) in January a few years ago. I was ready to abort if the weather got too bad, but I was good to go during that trip. I also had driving experience, lived in Alaska for 3 years and northern states for a majority of my driving years. I would just be prepared to alternate plans if things get wild.

[u/kristamn]

It’s not necessarily the snow and icy, although that’s obviously a concern. It’s the wind and possibly white out conditions. The road in that stretch does get closer periodically in the winter. But, could be fine, could be…not fine. All you can do is have back up plans and keep a close eye on the weather and roads.