Greenland is definitively colder than Iceland, a difference far greater than their geographic proximity suggests. While both landmasses are situated near the Arctic Circle, they experience dramatically different climates. Iceland’s weather is far more moderate than its name implies, contrasting sharply with Greenland’s climate, which is dominated by deep, persistent Arctic conditions.
The Defining Role of Ocean Currents
The primary factor creating the vast temperature disparity is the influence of oceanic circulation patterns in the North Atlantic. Iceland benefits from the North Atlantic Current, a powerful extension of the warm Gulf Stream system that transports warmer water from the tropics northeastward. This current flows along Iceland’s southern and western coasts, constantly transferring heat into the surrounding atmosphere and sea. This maritime influence prevents deep, sustained freezing, giving Iceland a subpolar oceanic climate.
Greenland, however, is bordered by two different currents that work to refrigerate its coastline. The East Greenland Current flows south along its eastern edge, carrying frigid, low-salinity water directly from the Arctic Ocean. This current is a major pathway for sea ice export, delivering massive amounts of ice and cold air masses into the North Atlantic. The constant delivery of cold water and ice-laden air masses effectively seals Greenland’s eastern coast in a perpetual freeze.
Geographic and Topographical Differences
The sheer scale and topography of Greenland act as an enormous, self-sustaining cooling engine. Approximately 80% of Greenland’s massive land area is covered by the Greenland Ice Sheet (GrIS), the second-largest body of ice in the world. This ice sheet averages over 1.6 kilometers thick and reaches a mean elevation of about 2,135 meters above sea level.
The high altitude of the ice sheet means that temperatures in the interior are extremely low, often reaching annual averages around \(-31^\circ\text{C}\). This vast, cold mass generates its own weather systems, continuously pushing frigid air masses toward the narrow coastal regions where most human settlements exist. The landmass is also situated much further north than Iceland, placing a larger portion of it above the Arctic Circle.
Iceland, by comparison, is a much smaller volcanic island with significantly lower average elevation. Located on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, the island possesses abundant geothermal heat, which mitigates cold weather impacts. This subterranean heat is widely harnessed to provide district heating for over 90% of homes and even warm some city streets. The lack of a massive, high-altitude ice sheet prevents the formation of the severe, interior-driven weather systems seen in Greenland.
Comparing Average Temperatures and Habitable Zones
Quantitative data clearly shows the result of these oceanic and geographic forces, demonstrating a pronounced temperature gap between the two nations. Reykjavík, the capital of Iceland, experiences a relatively mild winter, with average monthly temperatures near the coast hovering around \(0^\circ\text{C}\) to \(1^\circ\text{C}\). By contrast, Nuuk, the capital of Greenland, sees a January average minimum temperature of approximately \(-12^\circ\text{C}\). The annual average temperature for all of Iceland is about \(5^\circ\text{C}\), while Greenland’s annual average is significantly colder at \(-2^\circ\text{C}\).
The pattern of human settlement strongly reflects this climatic difference. Iceland’s population is spread around the entire coastal perimeter, supported by the moderate subpolar oceanic climate. Greenland’s population is extremely sparse and confined to isolated settlements along small, ice-free pockets of the coast. The difference in climate classification summarizes the contrast: Iceland’s coast is subpolar oceanic, whereas Greenland’s is predominantly Arctic.