Early winter · Weather & things to do
Mývatn in December
Mývatn edges cooler than November, with highs of 29°F (-2°C), lows of 19°F (-7°C) and about 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain or snow.
With a comfort score of 37/100 (10th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 29°F (-2°C)
- Avg low
- 19°F (-7°C)
- Rain or snow
- 3.7 in (95 mm)
- Humidity
- 94%
- Cloud cover
- 80%
- Daylight
- ~2 h 24 min
- Comfort score
- 37/100 · Tough
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 29°F (-2°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Average lows of 19°F (-7°C) mean frosty nights and icy mornings.
About 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain or snow falls in the month, and with temperatures averaging below freezing, much of it may come as snow.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 80%.
Only about 2 h 24 min of daylight means early sunsets.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – August.
- Shortest days of the year, about 2 h 24 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (36 → 37/100).
- 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 19°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 3.7 in of rain or snow
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in Mývatn in December
With highs near 29°F, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Hverir
Steaming vents and bubbling mud pots on an orange geothermal field.
Vogafjós Farm Resort
Café in a working cowshed serving geyser bread and smoked trout.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 29°F.
Grjótagjá
Small lava cave with a geothermal pool seen in 'Game of Thrones'.
Krafla and Víti crater
Volcanic area with the turquoise Víti crater lake and Leirhnjúkur lava fields.
Daddi's Pizza
Simple Reykjahlíð pizzeria popular with campers.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Nearby in December
- Jökulsárlón in December~108 mi · highs 36°F, 10.7 in rain · 4°C (7°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Vík in December~162 mi · highs 38°F, 9.9 in rain · 5°C (10°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Reykjavík in December~177 mi · highs 37°F, 6.8 in rain · 4°C (8°F) warmer by day, wetter
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~487 m to Mývatn's ~276 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.
Mývatn in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Mývatn?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 37/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – August. Expect highs of 29°F (-2°C) and 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain or snow. Our Iceland Ring Road route recommends Jun – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Mývatn in December?
Average highs are 29°F (-2°C) and average lows 19°F (-7°C), making it the 2nd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Mývatn in December?
Some: about 3.7 in (95 mm) of rain or snow falls across December on average, the 4th-wettest month of the year. With temperatures this low, much of it may fall as snow. The annual total is about 39.0 in (991 mm).
What should I pack for Mývatn in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 19°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 3.7 in of rain or snow) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
Planning Mývatn in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.