South Iceland Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in South Iceland, Iceland in December.

Planning a getaway to South Iceland, Iceland this December and curious about the weather you should prepare for? Discover all the vital details you need on this page, solving your puzzle:

What to Expect in South Iceland in December

South Iceland, Iceland is a region in Iceland. December in South Iceland generally has temperatures that range from very cold to cold, with heavy precipitation.

Temperatures

Based on our climate data spanning from 1990-2020, the average maximum temperature is very cold in Sprengisandur at 1°C (34°F) to cold in Vestmannaeyjar at 6°C (43°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 2°C (36°F) in Vestmannaeyjar and -5°C (23°F) in Sprengisandur. 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.

For a closer look at conditions across South Iceland, Iceland, refer to the map below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From heavy snow/rainfall in Sprengisandur with an average of 161 mm (6.3 in) to heavy snow/rainfall in Solheimahjaleiga with 336 mm (13 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine is quite limited in many locations during December. Höfn receives roughly 17 hours of sunlight. For destinations with more sunshine, our weather planner offers alternatives worldwide.

Explore South Iceland by month

Pick a month to see the average temperature, rainfall and sunshine in South Iceland — and find the best time to visit. (based on Vík í Mýrdal)

Best Places to Visit in South Iceland in December

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across South Iceland.

perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

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).

Popular Destinations in South Iceland

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in South Iceland, Iceland?

Temperature range in South Iceland (December)

Precipitation variation in South Iceland (December)

Höfn

In December Höfn generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C (39°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -1°C (30°F) and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
5°C (41°F)
4°C (39°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
1°C (34°F)
-1°C (30°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Monthly sun hours
47 hours
17 hours
25 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
212 mm (8.3 in)
211 mm (8.3 in)
215 mm (8.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
14 days
16 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Selfoss

In December Selfoss generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C (39°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -2°C (28°F) and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
5°C (41°F)
4°C (39°F)
4°C (39°F)
Min temperature
0°C (32°F)
-2°C (28°F)
-2°C (28°F)
Monthly sun hours
42 hours
20 hours
20 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
148 mm (5.8 in)
171 mm (6.7 in)
166 mm (6.5 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
19 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Hella

In December Hella generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 4°C (39°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -1°C (30°F) and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
6°C (43°F)
4°C (39°F)
5°C (41°F)
Min temperature
0°C (32°F)
-1°C (30°F)
-1°C (30°F)
Monthly snow/rainfall
152 mm (6 in)
171 mm (6.7 in)
168 mm (6.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
18 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Hveragerði

In December Hveragerði generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 3°C (37°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -3°C (27°F) and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
5°C (41°F)
3°C (37°F)
3°C (37°F)
Min temperature
0°C (32°F)
-3°C (27°F)
-3°C (27°F)
Monthly sun hours
42 hours
20 hours
20 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
141 mm (5.6 in)
164 mm (6.5 in)
161 mm (6.3 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
19 days
18 days
Weather conditions

Laugarvatn

In December Laugarvatn generally has low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 2°C (36°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -4°C (25°F) and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
4°C (39°F)
2°C (36°F)
2°C (36°F)
Min temperature
-2°C (28°F)
-4°C (25°F)
-4°C (25°F)
Monthly sun hours
42 hours
20 hours
20 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
163 mm (6.4 in)
194 mm (7.6 in)
193 mm (7.6 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
18 days
17 days
Weather conditions

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in South Iceland, in Iceland.

Popular cities in December

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in South Iceland in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Vík í Mýrdal 5°C (41°F) 1°C (34°F) 293 mm (12 in)
Höfn 4°C (39°F) -1°C (30°F) 211 mm (8.3 in)
Selfoss 4°C (39°F) -2°C (28°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Hella 4°C (39°F) -1°C (30°F) 171 mm (6.7 in)
Hveragerði 3°C (37°F) -3°C (27°F) 164 mm (6.5 in)
Laugarvatn 2°C (36°F) -4°C (25°F) 194 mm (7.6 in)

South Iceland weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in South Iceland, Iceland in December?

South Iceland, Iceland typically experiences poor weather in December, part of the season. Daytime highs in Höfn average around 4°C (39°F), and temperatures drop to about -1°C (30°F) at night.

What is the average temperature in South Iceland, Iceland in December?

Average temperatures in South Iceland, Iceland during December range from a nighttime low near -1°C (30°F) to a daytime high around 4°C (39°F) in Höfn.

Does South Iceland, Iceland get a lot of snow/rain in December?

Yes. December brings heavy snow/rainfall to South Iceland, Iceland, with Höfn averaging around 211 mm (8.3 in). Expect frequent showers and pack accordingly.

Is December a Good Time to Visit South Iceland, Iceland?

In our opinion, December may not be the ideal time to visit South Iceland, Iceland due to the typically poor weather in Höfn.

Generally speaking, the best visiting conditions can be found in offering mostly poor weather in Höfn.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in South Iceland.

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 travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

Bucket list

Need travel inspiration? Check out our bucket list articles and be inspired.