Tromsø or Reykjavík in February?
On climate data, Tromsø comes out ahead overall in February. See the per-criterion details below.
TromsøPhoto: Bernt Rostad from Oslo, Norway · CC BY 2.0
ReykjavíkPhoto: rheins · CC BY 3.0Key figures in February
| Criterion | Tromsø | Reykjavík |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | -5 °C | 2 °C |
| Average daily low | -10 °C | -2 °C |
| Sea | 4 °C | 5 °C ★ |
| Rainy days | 17 rainy days (est.) ★ | 19 rainy days (est.) |
| Sun | 0 h/day | 1 h/day ★ |
| Humidity | 95 % | 91 % |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- Reykjavík is about 7 °C warmer by day.
- Tromsø is drier, with about 2 fewer rainy days.
Tromsø or Reykjavík in February: the short answer
In February, Tromsø comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Tromsø 12/100 vs Reykjavík 11/100). That is a snapshot of one month, though — which one truly fits depends on what you want from the trip, so the breakdown below goes criterion by criterion.
This comparison focuses on February as a representative month for the pair; for any other month, use each destination's month-by-month pages. Across the whole year Tromsø averages a climate score of 17/100, Reykjavík 18/100. Both profiles below are historical monthly averages, not a forecast.
Weather in February, side by side
The average daily high is about -5 °C in Tromsø and 2 °C in Reykjavík — warmer in Reykjavík. Average daily lows are around -10 °C versus -2 °C.
On rain, Tromsø sees about 17 rainy days in February and Reykjavík about 19 — drier in Tromsø. Reykjavík gets more sunshine (0 vs 1 hours a day).
Sea temperature and swimming
In February the water is about 4 °C at Tromsø and 5 °C at Reykjavík — warmer for swimming at Reykjavík. Neither Tromsø nor Reykjavík reaches the ~21 °C swimming threshold in any month. Peak sea warmth is August for Tromsø and August for Reykjavík.
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Tromsø records roughly 221 rainy days and Reykjavík about 224 — the drier of the two overall is Tromsø. At their sunniest, Tromsø reaches about 6 hours of sun a day (June) and Reykjavík about 6 (June). If dependable dry, sunny weather is your top priority, weigh these annual totals alongside the single month above.
Best time to visit each
Climatically, Tromsø has no month that stands clearly above the rest, while Reykjavík has no clear standout month. If your dates are fixed, pick the destination whose strong season overlaps them; if you are flexible, plan around these windows.
Which suits which kind of trip
Based on the February scores for each travel style:
Beach & swimming: Tromsø scores higher in February (Tromsø 7 vs Reykjavík 6).
City breaks: Tromsø scores higher in February (Tromsø 18 vs Reykjavík 16).
Active & hiking: both are close (Tromsø 14 vs Reykjavík 14).
Family: Tromsø scores higher in February (Tromsø 11 vs Reykjavík 10).
Verdict: which should you pick?
In February, Tromsø leads overall and for beach, city breaks and family trips, while the active trips score is effectively tied. Over the year, Reykjavík carries the higher overall climate score. Your own priority still matters, and the month-by-month pages give you the full picture before you book.