Reykjavik does NOT experience a true midnight sun — only near-24-hour daylight (21h 09m on summer solstice)

Midnight Sun Assessment for Reykjavik, Iceland — Summer Solstice 2025

Location

• City: Reykjavik, Iceland
• Latitude: ~64°08′N (64.15°)
• Date: June 21, 2025 (summer solstice)

Astronomical Data (WeatherAPI)

| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Sunrise | 02:55 AM |
| Sunset | 12:04 AM (next day) |
| Moon Phase | Waning Crescent |
| Moon Illumination | 26% |

Daylight Duration

• Total daylight: 21 hours 9 minutes
• Night gap (sunset → sunrise): ~2 hours 51 minutes (12:04 AM → 02:55 AM)

Arctic Circle Boundary

• The Arctic Circle sits at approximately 66°34′N — this is the southernmost latitude where the midnight sun phenomenon (sun visible at local midnight) occurs.
• Reykjavik at 64°08′N is ~2°26′ south of the Arctic Circle.

Conclusion

Reykjavik does NOT experience a true midnight sun. Although it enjoys near-24-hour daylight (21 h 09 m) on the summer solstice, the sun sets at 12:04 AM and dips below the horizon for approximately 2 hours 51 minutes before rising again at 02:55 AM. The sun is not visible at local midnight, which is the defining criterion for a midnight sun.

Classification: Near-24-hour daylight (not a true midnight sun).

Key Distinction

• True midnight sun: Sun remains above the horizon at local midnight → requires latitude ≥ Arctic Circle (~66°34′N)
• Near-24-hour daylight: Sun sets briefly after midnight but rises again within a few hours → occurs at sub-Arctic latitudes like Reykjavik (~64°08′N)

Nordic capitals that do experience a true midnight sun include those above the Arctic Circle (e.g., parts of Norway, Sweden, Finland above ~66°34′N). Reykjavik, despite its extreme daylight hours, falls short of the midnight-sun threshold by ~2°26′.