When to go · Hella
Hella in December
Mixed month. Outside the best window (May–Sep). Across Iceland: Darkest month, Christmas lights and fireworks; storms can close roads for days.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C) / −3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 11
- Crowds
- Medium
- Iceland overall
- Prices
- High
- Iceland overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (May–Sep). Across Iceland: Darkest month, Christmas lights and fireworks; storms can close roads for days.
Is another month better than December?
December is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in December
- HellaHighs around 2 °C (36 °F), lows around -3 °C (27 °F), rain on about 11 daysHighs around 36 °F (2 °C), lows around 27 °F (-3 °C), rain on about 11 days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas and New Year big impact
24–26 Dec, 31 Dec – 1 Jan · Iceland
Shops and restaurants close from mid-afternoon on the 24th and 31st; huge private fireworks on New Year's Eve.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Iceland overall
- Medium
- Prices · Iceland overall
- High
Iceland overall: Darkest month, Christmas lights and fireworks; storms can close roads for days.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Hella, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Mixed
May: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: 2 °C (36 °F)36 °F (2 °C)
May: 12 °C (54 °F)54 °F (12 °C)
Night low
Dec: -3 °C (27 °F)27 °F (-3 °C)
May: 3 °C (37 °F)37 °F (3 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 11
May: 7 (better)
Crowds
Dec: Medium
May: Medium
Prices
Dec: High
May: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
May: 0
December: Outside the best window (May–Sep). Across Iceland: Darkest month, Christmas lights and fireworks; storms can close roads for days.
May: Inside Hella's best window: May–Sep.
Hella: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast