Vatnajökull National Park

Vatnajökull National Park Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland in December.

Are you planning a trip a to Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland in December and wondering what kind of weather to expect? This page has all the details you need.

What to Expect in Vatnajökull National Park in December

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

Temperatures

During the day the temperature is very cold in Skaftafell at 1°C (34°F) and cold in Höfn at 4°C (39°F). As night falls, temperatures generally drop to -1°C (30°F) in Höfn and -5°C (23°F) in Skaftafell. In many regions in Iceland, December is characterized by its biting cold temperatures. If you're venturing into these areas during this time, it's crucial to be adequately prepared. Ensure you layer up with warm clothing to fight off the chill and stay comfortable.

For specific regional insights in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland, refer to the map provided below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From heavy snow/rainfall in Kirkjubæjarklaustur with an average of 210 mm (8.3 in) to heavy snow/rainfall in Skaftafell with 278 mm (11 in).

Average sunshine

Sunshine tends to be more scarce in many locations. Höfn gets roughly 17 hours of sunlight. For sunnier alternatives, check our weather planner to find destinations with better conditions.

Explore Vatnajökull National Park by month

Best Places to Visit in Vatnajökull National Park in December

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Vatnajökull National Park.

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 Vatnajökull National Park

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

Temperature range in Vatnajökull National Park (December)

Precipitation variation in Vatnajökull National Park (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

Kirkjubæjarklaustur

In December Kirkjubæjarklaustur 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
-1°C (30°F)
-2°C (28°F)
-2°C (28°F)
Monthly sun hours
48 hours
18 hours
33 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
189 mm (7.4 in)
210 mm (8.3 in)
198 mm (7.8 in)
Monthly rainy days
16 days
19 days
19 days
Weather conditions

Skaftafell

In December Skaftafell generally has very low temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 1°C (34°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around -5°C (23°F) and heavy monthly snow/rainfall. So on average the conditions are poor that month.

November
December
January
Max temperature
3°C (37°F)
1°C (34°F)
1°C (34°F)
Min temperature
-3°C (27°F)
-5°C (23°F)
-5°C (23°F)
Monthly sun hours
48 hours
18 hours
33 hours
Monthly snow/rainfall
238 mm (9.4 in)
278 mm (11 in)
275 mm (11 in)
Monthly rainy days
17 days
19 days
19 days
Weather conditions

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

Popular cities in December

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Vatnajökull National Park in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Höfn 4°C (39°F) -1°C (30°F) 211 mm (8.3 in)
Kirkjubæjarklaustur 4°C (39°F) -2°C (28°F) 210 mm (8.3 in)
Skaftafell 1°C (34°F) -5°C (23°F) 278 mm (11 in)

Vatnajökull National Park weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland in December?

Expect poor weather across Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland in December. The popular destination of Höfn averages 4°C (39°F) by day and -1°C (30°F) at night during this month.

What is the average temperature in Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland in December?

Daytime temperatures in Höfn peak at roughly 4°C (39°F) in December, dropping to about -1°C (30°F) overnight.

Does Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland get a lot of snow/rain in December?

Expect plenty of snow/rainfall. Höfn records an average of 211 mm (8.3 in) in December, putting it among the wetter months for Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland.

Is December a Good Time to Visit Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland?

In our view, December might not be the best time to travel to Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland with often poor weather in Höfn.

Generally speaking, provide poor weather in Höfn.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Vatnajökull National Park.

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.