Early winter · Weather & things to do
Reykjavík in December
Reykjavík edges cooler than November, with highs of 37°F (3°C), lows of 30°F (-1°C) and about 6.8 in (172 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 29/100 (12th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 37°F (3°C)
- Avg low
- 30°F (-1°C)
- Rain
- 6.8 in (172 mm)
- Humidity
- 92%
- Cloud cover
- 76%
- Daylight
- ~3 h 37 min
- Comfort score
- 29/100 · Tough
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 37°F (3°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 30°F (-1°C), so expect frost and ice.
Rain is a real factor, with about 6.8 in (172 mm) across the month.
Expect plenty of overcast days, with cloud cover near 76%.
Daylight is short, roughly 3 h 37 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around December
December is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are June – August.
- Freezing nights return: average lows drop to 30°F.
- Start of the wettest three-month stretch (December – February), which brings about 19.4 in (493 mm) in total.
- Shortest days of the year, about 3 h 37 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (31 → 29/100).
- 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 30°F
- Shoes with gripfrost and ice are possible
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Reykjavík in December
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
Harpa
Concert hall with a glass facade by Olafur Eliasson on the harbor.
Þingvellir National Park
Rift valley between continents and site of Iceland's first parliament in 930.
Brauð & Co.
Bakery with a painted facade, famous for cinnamon snails.
Why now A sit-down stop to wait out showers in a month with 6.8 in of rain.
Kaldi Bar
Laugavegur bar pouring Kaldi beer from northern Iceland.
Why now Easy to slot in when December's rain moves in.
Hallgrímskirkja
Concrete church inspired by basalt columns, with a tower lift over the rooftops.
Why now An indoor-leaning stop for a month with 6.8 in of rain.
Nearby in December
- Vík in December~103 mi · highs 38°F, 9.9 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, wetter
- Jökulsárlón in December~172 mi · highs 36°F, 10.7 in rain · similar daytime temperatures, wetter
- Mývatn in December~177 mi · highs 29°F, 3.7 in rain or snow · 4°C (8°F) cooler by day, 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.
Reykjavík in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Reykjavík?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 29/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are June – August. Expect highs of 37°F (3°C) and 6.8 in (172 mm) of rain. Our Iceland Ring Road route recommends Jun – Sep, so December is outside its suggested window.
How cold is Reykjavík in December?
Average highs are 37°F (3°C) and average lows 30°F (-1°C), making it the 3rd-coldest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it rain a lot in Reykjavík in December?
Yes: about 6.8 in (172 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 2nd-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 64.5 in (1638 mm).
What should I pack for Reykjavík in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 30°F), shoes with grip (frost and ice are possible), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Reykjavík
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