Iceland weather in December
Are you planning a trip to Iceland in December and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.
What is the weather like in Iceland in December?
December in Iceland generally has temperatures that range from very cold to cold, with precipitation levels ranging from moderate to heavy. December is a winter month.
During the day temperatures vary from very cold in Eyjafjaroarsveit at -1°C to cold in Vestmannaeyjar at 7°C. At night it cools down to 3°C in Vestmannaeyjar and -7°C in Eyjafjaroarsveit. In many areas in Iceland, December brings with it chilling temperatures. When visiting these parts during this time, it's of utmost importance to be ready. Choose clothing that is both layered and insulating to combat the cold effectively.
In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From moderate snow/rainfall in Raufarhöfn with an average of 85 mm to heavy snow/rainfall in Solheimahjaleiga with 336 mm. Reykjavík experiences limited sunny days, amounting to roughly 20 hours of sunshine. This makes it perfect for those who prefer dimmer, cloudier settings rather than intense sunlit days
For a closer look at December's conditions in Iceland, see the map below. For a more detailed look at Iceland's yearly weather, check out our Iceland climate page.
Where to go in Iceland in December
perfect weather
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tolerable
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Popular destinations in Iceland
What is the weather like in December for the 5 most popular destinations in Iceland?
Average weather in Reykjavík
In December Reykjavík generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -2°C and high monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Average weather in Akureyri
In December Akureyri generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around -0°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -7°C and high monthly snowfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Average weather in Keflavík
In December Keflavík generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 5°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around 1°C and high monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Average weather in Höfn
In December Höfn generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -1°C and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Average weather in Selfoss
In December Selfoss generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C, minimum nighttime temperatures around -2°C and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.
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Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at other destinations in Iceland.
Is December the best time to visit Iceland?
Given the typically poor weather conditions in Reykjavík, December may not be the ideal time to visit Iceland.
Generally speaking, June and July provide tolerable weather in Reykjavík. On the other hand, the months of January, February, March, April, September, October, November and December tend to have poor weather conditions.
Interested in more climate information?
We have much more information about the climate in Iceland.
Interested in the weather conditions in a specific month? Select the month below.
Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Iceland? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Iceland.
Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal climate conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.