Thinking of visiting El Calafate in December? Expect moderate temperatures reaching 14°C (57°F) during the day, dropping to 4°C (39°F) at night, and note that quite a bit of rainfall is likely.
If your ideal day consists of dry skies and pleasant temperatures, January, February and December typically offer the best circumstances for El Calafate.
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Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in El Calafate - and find the best time to visit.
46-year average (1977-2025)
Based on our historical records, temperatures in El Calafate typically stay consistent throughout December, with daily highs averaging around 14°C (57°F). Nights are cool, with lows typically ranging from 7°C (45°F) to 10°C (50°F).
Browse day-by-day weather records for El Calafate spanning 51 years. Select any month and year to see actual temperatures, rainfall, and conditions recorded on each day.
Our historical data for El Calafate spans 2003 to 2025, revealing these weather extremes.
Find out more about the weather in Argentina and which places have the best travel conditions in this month. See all of Argentina in December →
Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).
The weather can swing between comfortable and chilly in December, so flexibility is key. Pack a variety of tops, at least one warm layer, and both shorts and long pants. This gives you options no matter what the day brings. Wet weather is likely, so pack waterproof gear for multiple rainy days. Don't forget sun protection, sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat. These are all good ideas with this much sunshine.
We rated the following activities from 1 (least suitable) to 10 (best) to do.
Temperature Rainfall Sunshine Humidity
See the full El Calafate climate overview or explore weather in Argentina.
Where to go in December - average daytime high across popular destinations.
Córdoba
30°C (86°F) Mendoza
30°C (86°F) Buenos Aires29°C (84°F) Villa Carlos Paz
27°C (81°F) Salta25°C (77°F) Mar del Plata24°C (75°F) San Martín de los Andes
18°C (64°F) San Carlos de Bariloche18°C (64°F) Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.
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