Despite its high latitude and proximity to the Arctic Circle, Iceland has a temperate climate thanks to the warming effect of the Gulf Stream. About 11 percent of the country is covered with permanent ice cap and Iceland has Europe’s largest glacier (Vatnajökull), but it enjoys verdant summers, with snow rarely staying on the ground for days. In the capital and largest city, Reykjavík, located south of the country, the average temperature for summer is 12 degrees Celsius and around 1 to 2 degrees for winter. Still cold–but not as cold as the winters you may experience in Canada or Russia. In 2018, the capital’s annual average temperature was 5.5 degrees. Iceland’s meteorological agency reports that “[t]he absolute maximum in Reykjavík was 23.5°C, recorded on 29 July and the absolute minimum was -9.0°C on 19 January.” However, Iceland’s weather is fickle and may change frequently throughout the day. If you’re planning a trip, make sure to check weather forecasts before heading out, and wear (or bring) layers so you can adapt to the weather changes quickly.