Best time to visit Faroe Islands

Many people think that the Faroe Islands that are located so far in the North Atlantic ocean are bitterly cold during winter. But in fact, it’s warmer here than in many countries of continental Europe. Warm currents protect Faroe shores from freezing temperatures. January is one of the coldest months of the year here. You can expect 6°C (42°F) at Tórshavn at best. More likely it will be a few degrees colder, and in the mountains, it’s always colder than along the shore. Snow is very likely to fall in the mountains during January. But rain is more common on the coast. January is the wettest month of the year. It will rain for 22-26 days. The sunlight is virtually absent, and the sky is clouded all the time. Days are rather short, cold and wet. So make sure you pack the right clothes to spend some time outdoors. During this month you will need a good waterproof insulated jacket, insulated and waterproof hiking boots, a hat and a pair of gloves. Overall, January is not the best time to visit the islands in terms of weather. Hurricanes make struck the Faroe Islands during winter months. But it’s one of the best times to catch Northern Lights.

February is another cold month in the Faroe Islands with temperatures staying around freezing levels. It’s the coldest month of the year, but it’s not completely grey. There is one hour of sun this month. However, overall weather stays cold, cloudy and wet. The air in the coastal villages is usually a bit warmer than in the inner part. The mountains can have freezing temperatures at that time. Despite the stable temperatures, the weather can get dramatic in the Faroe Islands with strong wind and heavy rain. February is slightly drier than January, but there are still about 22 rainy days. Snow is much rarer than rain. So make sure to take some waterproof clothes and boots. February is not the best time to explore the nature of the Faroe Islands due to short days, rainfall and cold temperatures. However, it’s a good time to catch Northern Lights and see the Faroe Islands under snow.

March is not different from any of the winter months on the Faroe Islands. The temperatures stay slightly above the freezing level. There is some improvement in terms of daylight and sunshine, but unfortunately, it rains as much as in February. The chances to see Aurora Borealis are lower in March. Hiking is not available due to rain and cold. That makes March a not so good time to visit the Faroe Islands. But if you still decide to go, pack lots of warm layers, waterproof shoes and jacket as well as a hat and gloves.

April offers significant weather improvement. It rains less often, there is more sunshine and daylight hours. In Tórshavn, you can expect the temperature to rise to 7°C (45°F), but in the mountains, it could be way colder. Snow is still possible in March on high elevations. April is also less rainy than the previous winter months and March. However, rain is possible during 16-20 days so don’t forget to pack some waterproof clothes and boots. Due to cold nights camping is still not a good idea in April. Although nature shows off fresh greens and some blooms in April it’s better to schedule nature-watching trips for warmer next months. In the spring, the weather is especially unpredictable in the Faroe Islands so you can see four seasons in one day.

May marks the arrival of the warmer and drier season to the Faroe Islands. Days get somewhat sunnier and longer. In Tórshavn, you can expect the temperature to rise to 9°C (49°F), although in the mountains it can be a little colder. Nature awakens in full swing in May, and it’s a good time for hiking and long walks. With four hours of sun daily it’s more pleasant to stay outdoors. Four or five hours is the maximum amount of sunshine that you can get in this place. May is considerably less rainy than previous months However, it can still rain during up to 20 days this month. You will still need to bring a waterproof hiking boots, a waterproof insulated jacket, and some warm layers. Spring weather tends to be unpredictable and capricious so be ready for some nasty surprises.

Summer is the best time to visit the Faroe Islands. June brings relative warmth, sunshine and drier weather that result in thicker tourist crowds. In Tórshavn, the temperature can rise to 11°C (52°F). It is colder than you might expect from June on southern latitudes, but quite a lot for the Faroe Islands where there is not much difference in temperature between winter and summer. With about five hours of sunshine, it’s much easier to go hiking or nature watching. The sea temperature warms up to 9°C (49°F), which makes the sea as warm as the air. Kayaking season starts in June, and it’s a good time for a sea excursion. June is a relatively dry month with just 12 rainy days in Tórshavn. However, you will still need good waterproof walking shoes and a waterproof jacket since it may still rain quite often.

July is the second warmest month on the Faroe Islands after August. It’s also one of the best months to visit the islands. With maximum warmth, sunshine and daylight July is perfect for hiking, nature watching, and kayaking. In Tórshavn, the air can warm up to 12.8°C (55°F) during the day, which is considered to be perfect summer weather for the Faroe Islands. July is one of the relatively dry months on Faroe, but you can still expect about 13 rainy days, so don’t forget to pack your waterproof jacket and shoes. July is a good time for camping because nights are relatively warm. The sea temperature warms up to 10°C (50°F) which makes kayaking more pleasant.

August is the warmest and one of the driest months on the Faroe Islands, which naturally makes it a popular time to visit the remote place. You shouldn’t expect too much warmth from August on Faroe though. You can experience about 13°C(55°F) at best. But this is as good as it gets here. August is a great time to explore the beautiful nature of the islands and visit its mountains. It’s also the best time for camping and sea kayaking since the water temperature is the warmest. Still too cold to swim though! It rains a bit more than in June and July, however not as heavy as in colder months. Expect about 13 days with rainfall and pack an umbrella, a waterproof jacket and shoes.

September is still a decent time to visit the Faroe Islands despite slightly decreasing temperature and increasing rainfall. It’s still good for camping, kayaking, and hiking as well as other outdoor activities. In Tórshavn, the temperature still reaches 11°C (52.°F), and is pretty comfortable. Days get shorter, but it’s not as bad as in the winter. The rainfall and wind increase in September. You can expect about 18 days with rain this month so pack your waterproof jacket and shoes. Fall also brings more unpredictable and stormy weather to the Faroe Islands.

This month continues some unpleasant tendencies that have started in September: less sunshine, more rain, and colder temperatures. The air temperature is still not that bad. In Tórshavn, it can warm up to 9°C (49°F), but in the mountains, it can get colder. With increased rainfall and more cloudy weather it’s not that comfortable to be outdoors anymore. There are 22 rainy days during this month. And colder weather also may bring some strong winds and storms that get rather extreme in North Atlantic. So be prepared for unexpected changes in weather and pack some warm layers as well as waterproof clothes and shoes.

November may not seem much colder than October in terms of temperature but shorter days and more intense rainfall make a significant difference. In Tórshavn, day temperature may still exceed 7°C (45°F), but with just one hour of sunshine days are too gloomy and grey to spend time outdoors. It’s raining for 21-22 days in November, a significant increase compared with previous months. Also, Atlantic depressions may cause severe storms and hurricanes in November with rough sea and strong winds. This kind of extreme weather may lock you inside for days. If you still decide to visit the Faroe Islands in November, bring an insulated and waterproof jacket as well as waterproof boots.

December is a cold, gloomy and wet month on the Faroe Islands. With just one hour of sunshine per day and the shortest days in a year, it’s not so pleasant to be outside. However, it’s not as cold on Faroe in December as one might expect from North Atlantic. In Tórshavn, the temperature can rise to 6°C (43°F), but with increased rainfall outdoor activities are out of the question. However, it’s a good time to catch the mystical glow of Aurora Borealis. There are about 22 rainy days this month. Snowfalls are possible on higher elevations. In addition, storms in the Atlantic ocean often hit the Faroe Islands during this time of the year. It may lead to rough seas, heavy rainfall and strong winds. It’s best to stay inside and cancel travel plans during such times. If you plan to visit the Faroe Islands in December, pack some warm and waterproof clothes that will help you to deal with nasty weather surprises.