Early winter · Weather & things to do
Jökulsárlón in December
Jökulsárlón edges cooler than November, with highs of 36°F (2°C), lows of 31°F (-1°C) and about 10.7 in (271 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 19/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 36°F (2°C)
- Avg low
- 31°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 10.7 in (271 mm)
- Humidity
- 86%
- Cloud cover
- 79%
- Daylight
- ~3 h 40 min
- Comfort score
- 19/100 · Tough
What December feels like
Highs only reach about 36°F (2°C), so plan short stints outside between indoor stops.
Average lows of 31°F (-1°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
It's a very wet month, with around 10.7 in (271 mm) of rain, so keep plans flexible and have indoor backups ready.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 79%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 17 mph (7.4 m/s) at ground level.
Only about 3 h 40 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – August.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 31°F.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (December – February), which brings about 32.2 in (817 mm) in total.
- Shortest days of the year, about 3 h 40 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (21 → 19/100).
- Our Iceland Ring Road route recommends Jun – Sep, so December falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 31°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Windproof shellaverage wind 17 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Jökulsárlón in December
With 10.7 in of rain, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Diamond Beach
Black sand covered with ice chunks washed out from the lagoon.
Svartifoss
Waterfall framed by black basalt columns, 1.5 km from Skaftafell visitor center.
Vatnajökull ice cave tour
Guided winter trip into natural blue ice caves in the glacier.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best Nov–Mar.
Frost Restaurant
Buffet restaurant at the Fjallsárlón visitor center with glacier views.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 10.7 in of rain.
Þórbergssetur
Hali farm cultural center and restaurant serving local char and lamb.
Why now Easy to slot in when December's rain moves in.
Nearby in December
- Vík in December~96 mi · highs 38°F, 9.9 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, drier
- Mývatn in December~108 mi · highs 29°F, 3.7 in rain or snow · 4°C (7°F) cooler by day, drier
- Reykjavík in December~172 mi · highs 37°F, 6.8 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid. Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Jökulsárlón in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Jökulsárlón?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 19/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – August. Expect highs of 36°F (2°C) and 10.7 in (271 mm) of rain. Our Iceland Ring Road route recommends Jun – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Jökulsárlón in December?
Average highs are 36°F (2°C) and average lows 31°F (-1°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Jökulsárlón in December?
Yes: about 10.7 in (271 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 93.6 in (2377 mm).
What should I pack for Jökulsárlón in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 31°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain), windproof shell (average wind 17 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on Jökulsárlón
Planning Jökulsárlón in December?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.