Early summer · Weather & things to do
Torres del Paine in December
Torres del Paine edges warmer than November, with highs of 36°F (2°C), lows of 26°F (-3°C) and about 6.3 in (159 mm) of rain or snow.
Our comfort score puts it mid-table at 30/100, 11th of 12.
- Avg high
- 36°F (2°C)
- Avg low
- 26°F (-3°C)
- Rain or snow
- 6.3 in (159 mm)
- Humidity
- 85%
- Cloud cover
- 79%
- Daylight
- ~16 h 17 min
- Comfort score
- 30/100 · Tough
What December feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 36°F (2°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Nights drop below freezing, with an average low of 26°F (-3°C), so expect frost and ice.
About 6.3 in (159 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 79%.
It's breezy, with average winds near 11 mph (5.0 m/s) at ground level.
With about 16 h 17 min of daylight, evenings stay light late.
Plan around December
December sits mid-table; the best months are February, May and July – October.
- Longest days of the year, about 16 h 17 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (31 → 30/100).
- December sits inside the Nov – Mar window our Patagonia Peaks route recommends.
What to pack for December
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 26°F
- Insulated, waterproof bootssnow is likely on some days
- Waterproof outer layerabout 6.3 in of rain or snow
- Windproof shellaverage wind 11 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Torres del Paine in December
With 6.3 in of rain or snow, these picks lean toward food, drink and places with a roof, with outdoor options when the weather breaks.
Grey Glacier
Ice front of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field; reach by trail or boat from Hotel Lago Grey.
Mirador Cuernos
Easy trail with views of Los Cuernos above Lake Nordenskjöld.
Hotel Las Torres Patagonia
Lodge restaurant and bar at the Base Torres trailhead, open to non-guests.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 36°F.
Hotel Lago Grey
Lodge with a restaurant and bar facing icebergs on Lake Grey.
Lago Pehoé catamaran
Boat from Pudeto across turquoise Lake Pehoé to Paine Grande.
Nearby in December
- Puerto Natales in December~67 mi · highs 55°F, 4.3 in rain · 11°C (19°F) warmer by day, drier
- El Chaltén in December~114 mi · highs 50°F, 6.0 in rain · 8°C (14°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~630 m to Torres del Paine's ~1,442 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.
Torres del Paine in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit Torres del Paine?
It's middling, scoring 30/100. The best months are February, May and July – October, at up to 36. Expect highs of 36°F (2°C) and 6.3 in (159 mm) of rain or snow. December is inside the Nov – Mar window our Patagonia Peaks route recommends.
How cold is Torres del Paine in December?
Average highs are 36°F (2°C) and average lows 26°F (-3°C), making it the 3rd-warmest month by daytime highs, with nights below freezing on average.
Does it snow a lot in Torres del Paine in December?
Yes: about 6.3 in (159 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 69.5 in (1765 mm).
What should I pack for Torres del Paine in December?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 26°F), insulated, waterproof boots (snow is likely on some days), waterproof outer layer (about 6.3 in of rain or snow), windproof shell (average wind 11 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on Torres del Paine
Routes in season in December
- Patagonia Peaks Nov – Mar
Planning Torres del Paine in December?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.