Weather in Reykjavik in December

How December compares

December is the 11th warmest month of the year in Reykjavik. Against London's average high of 7.7°C in December, Reykjavik is 6.4°C cooler by day and 5.9°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in December

The typical December day in Reykjavik peaks at 1.3°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 6.8°C or more. Days over 25°C are rare. Nights average -3.2°C; one night in ten drops to -10.2°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest December day here reached 10.4°C (2002-12-05) and the coldest night -20.9°C (1993-12-22).

Rain in December

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 18 days with 1 mm or more, 133 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest December was 2007 with 238 mm, the driest 2000 with 55 mm. Humidity averages 83%.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 0.9 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 3.6 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 11:16 and sets about 15:29 local time in mid-December. Average cloud cover is 76%.

Is December a good time to visit Reykjavik?

December is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Reykjavik on our scoring are June, May, July.

Dress for colder conditions than London

The average daytime temperature sits close to freezing, so a proper winter coat, insulating layers, gloves and a hat are sensible packing choices. Overnight cold can be much sharper than the average suggests: the coldest 10% of nights reach about -10°C or lower. That makes warm footwear and extra layers useful if you plan to stay out into the evening. Milder spells do happen, with the warmest 10% of days reaching around 7°C or more, but that is still coat weather rather than a reason to pack lightly. This month suits travellers comfortable with short outdoor spells and regular chances to warm up, rather than spending the whole day outside.

Keep daylight plans flexible and waterproofs handy

With about 18 rainy days, wet weather is a routine part of a December visit rather than an occasional inconvenience. A waterproof outer layer and water-resistant footwear are more useful than relying on a warm coat alone. Keep your plans easy to rearrange so a wet spell does not dictate the whole day. Sunshine averages just 0.9 hours daily, so even the short daylight window should not be mistaken for guaranteed bright weather. Put outdoor time into the available daylight and leave indoor plans for after dark where possible. If your ideal holiday means lingering outdoors without watching the weather, December is a poor fit; flexibility matters more than a packed schedule.