Monthly weather
Faroe Islands weather in September — what to expect
Avg temp
9°C
Rainfall
110 mm
Daylight
13h
Wind
22 km/h
Sea temp
10°C
September is the hinge month. The puffins that packed the cliffs all summer are gone — they left in mid-to-late August, and by September the ledges on Mykines are empty. In exchange you get something summer can't offer: real darkness, and with it, the first Northern Lights of the season. Heather turns the hillsides rust and purple, the tour buses thin out fast, and the islands start to feel like themselves again.
It's a transitional month, weather-wise. Early September can still feel like a tail end of summer — calm, mild, good for hiking. By late September, storms are turning up more often and the character shifts toward autumn. Don't book a trip assuming either extreme; plan for both.
What the weather actually feels like
Average highs of 11°C, lows of 7°C — nearly identical to June on the thermometer. What's different is everything else. Rainfall jumps to about 110mm across 19 days, nearly double June's totals, and wind picks up to an average of 22 km/h. Sunshine drops to around 70 hours for the month, less than half of June's 125. UV index is 2 — sunscreen matters less now, though a clear September sky can still catch you out.
Sea temperature holds at 10°C, same as June, since the ocean lags behind the air. If you were tempted to swim, September is as good as it gets before it drops off through autumn.
The overall feel: layer for cold-ish mornings, wind, and a real chance of rain any given day, but don't expect the deep cold of winter yet.
Daylight and the start of aurora season
Daylight in September runs around 13 hours on average, down sharply from summer. That's the key change: real darkness returns to the night sky for the first time since spring.
That darkness is what makes the aurora possible again. On clear nights from mid-to-late September, the Northern Lights become visible for the first time since before summer. It's not guaranteed — you need a clear sky, some solar activity, and to be away from town lighting — but September is genuinely the start of the season rather than a long shot.
Can you see the Northern Lights in September? Yes, from mid-to-late September onward, on clear dark nights. Earlier in the month there often isn't enough true darkness yet. Aurora season proper runs into the following spring.
What to do in September
Hike while you still can
Early September is still very good hiking weather — arguably close to August conditions. As the month goes on, storm frequency rises and you'll want to be more selective about which days you commit to a long route.
Solid choices for September:
- Slættaratindur — the highest point in the Faroes, good on any clear, calm day.
- Trælanípa — the hanging lake walk, straightforward and rewarding, less crowded than midsummer.
- Kallur Lighthouse — exposed ridge on Kalsoy; skip it if wind is up.
- Gjógv — an easier walk that holds up in most conditions.
Check the forecast the morning of, not the week before — September weather moves fast. See our hiking guide for the full safety rundown.
Watch the ferry schedule for Mykines
The Mykines ferry season winds down around the end of September. If a Mykines visit matters to you, go early in the month and check current schedules locally before you travel — service gets thinner as the month progresses and the puffins that draw most visitors there are already gone regardless.
Catch a sheep round-up
The traditional autumn sheep round-up (réttir) happens across the islands in September and October, as farmers gather flocks down from the hills. It's a genuine slice of Faroese rural life, not a staged event for tourists — if you're in the right village at the right time, it's worth watching.
Whale watching, tailing off
Whale watching season, which builds through summer, starts tailing off in September. Tours may still run out of Tórshavn and Vestmanna, but sightings become less reliable than in peak summer.
Wildlife in September
- Puffins: Gone. They left mid-to-late August for the open ocean and won't be back until spring.
- Sheep: Round-ups underway across the islands through September and October.
- Whales: Season tailing off — still possible, less consistent.
- Colour: Heather and autumn grasses turn the hillsides shades of rust, purple, and gold — the best month for landscape colour.
Best locations for September
- Slættaratindur — clear autumn days give sharp long-distance views
- Saksun — the tidal lagoon and turf-roofed village suit the moodier autumn light
- Gjógv — reliable easy walk regardless of what the sky is doing
- Mykines — go early in the month if the ferry still matters to you; puffins are gone but the cliffs remain dramatic
- Eiði — coastal views without the summer crowds
What to pack for September
Full details in our what to pack guide. For September specifically:
- Waterproof jacket and trousers — rain days climb to 19 out of 30
- Warm layers — highs of 11°C don't account for 22 km/h wind
- Waterproof boots — hillside trails get muddier as autumn sets in
- A torch or headlamp — darkness is back, and useful if you're out chasing aurora
- Warm layers for evenings — if you're standing still watching the sky, cold sets in fast
What people actually say about September
The contrast with August catches people off guard — one visitor described arriving expecting late-summer weather and getting "properly changeable" conditions within days of each other. Early-month travellers often get lucky with calm, clear stretches that feel like a bonus month of summer. Later in the month, storms roll in with more regularity, and plans need backup days.
The quiet is the other consistent comment. After the crowds of July and August, September feels like the islands emptying out — fewer cars at trailheads, easier accommodation, and a sense that you're seeing the place as locals do rather than as a peak-season attraction.
For anyone specifically chasing the aurora, patience is the theme. Clear, dark nights with visible activity don't happen every night — persistence over multiple nights beats hoping for one lucky evening.
Related guides
- Hiking in the Faroe Islands — trails, safety, and logistics
- What to pack — the complete gear list
- Getting around — car rental, ferries, and buses
- Best time to visit — month-by-month comparison
- Bad weather guide — what to do when storms roll in
Frequently asked questions
Can I see the Northern Lights in the Faroe Islands in September?
Yes, from mid-to-late September onward, on clear dark nights. Real darkness only returns to the sky partway through the month, so earlier dates are less reliable than late September.
Are there still puffins in the Faroe Islands in September?
No. Puffins leave for the open ocean in mid-to-late August and won't return until spring. If puffins matter to your trip, September is too late.
Does it rain a lot in the Faroe Islands in September?
Yes — around 110mm across 19 days, nearly double June's totals. Wind also picks up, averaging 22 km/h. Early September is often calmer than late September, when storm frequency starts rising.
Is September a good month to hike in the Faroe Islands?
Early September is still very good — close to August conditions. As the month progresses, storms become more frequent, so check the forecast the day of rather than planning routes far in advance.
Is the Mykines ferry running in September?
Yes, but the season winds down around the end of the month. Check current schedules locally, and go early in September if a Mykines visit is a priority.
What is the sheep round-up in the Faroe Islands?
The réttir — a traditional autumn gathering where farmers bring flocks down from the hills. It happens across the islands in September and October and is a genuine piece of local rural life, not a tourist event.