Late winter · Weather & things to do
El Chaltén in August
Little changes in El Chaltén from July: highs stay near 37°F (3°C), lows near 28°F (-2°C), and about 5.3 in (134 mm) of rain or snow falls.
With a comfort score of 36/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 37°F (3°C)
- Avg low
- 28°F (-2°C)
- Rain or snow
- 5.3 in (134 mm)
- Humidity
- 91%
- Cloud cover
- 67%
- Daylight
- ~9 h 47 min
- Comfort score
- 36/100 · Tough
What August feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 37°F (3°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Average lows of 28°F (-2°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
Expect about 5.3 in (134 mm) of precipitation (rain or snow). Because nights fall well below freezing, snow is likely on some days.
Plan around August
August is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are February.
- Comfort holds steady from July (38 → 36/100).
- Our Patagonia Peaks route recommends Nov – Mar, so August falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for August
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 28°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 5.3 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in El Chaltén in August
With 5.3 in of rain or snow, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
La Tapera
Cozy restaurant for lamb, trout and steak.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 37°F.
Lago del Desierto
Forest-ringed lake 37 km north, with the Huemul glacier trail nearby.
Patagonicus
Wood-paneled pizzeria with mountain photos on the walls.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Loma del Pliegue Tumbado
Long climb to a viewpoint facing both Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre.
La Cervecería
Small brewpub serving house beers and hearty locro after a hike.
Nearby in August
- Torres del Paine in August~114 mi · highs 24°F, 5.2 in rain or snow · 7°C (13°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Puerto Natales in August~166 mi · highs 41°F, 3.4 in rain · 2°C (4°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,089 m to El Chaltén's ~399 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
El Chaltén in August: quick answers
Is August a good time to visit El Chaltén?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 36/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are February. Expect highs of 37°F (3°C) and 5.3 in (134 mm) of rain or snow. Our Patagonia Peaks route recommends Nov – Mar, so August is outside its suggested window.
How cold is El Chaltén in August?
Average highs are 37°F (3°C) and average lows 28°F (-2°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in El Chaltén in August?
Yes: about 5.3 in (134 mm) of rain or snow falls across August on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 67.4 in (1711 mm).
What should I pack for El Chaltén in August?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 28°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 5.3 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on El Chaltén
Planning El Chaltén in August?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.