San Carlos de Bariloche (Bariloche) weather in December

December in San Carlos de Bariloche: nice, a little rain, with clean air — not the best time to visit.

Updated September 2026 · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

San Carlos de Bariloche🇦🇷 Argentina · Andean Lakes District · Ski17
  1. 14Jan
  2. 12Feb
  3. 19Mar
  4. 33Apr
  5. 55May
  6. 78Jun
  7. 82Jul
  8. 73Aug
  9. 60Sep
  10. 44Oct
  11. 24Nov
  12. 17Dec

#10 of 12 months in San Carlos de Bariloche · #1406 of 1413 destinations to visit in December · comfort 17/100 (tier F)

Days
22°C
Nights
7°C
Wet days
6
Sun
13.1 h
Humidity
66%
Daylight
15 h
San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina
Photo: Belén Montero · Pexels

What December is like in San Carlos de Bariloche

Summer starts and the town fills for the holidays, with light until after ten and the lakes still cold.

peak

confidence: high

Traveller notes on San Carlos de Bariloche in December

Other months in San Carlos de Bariloche

Bariloche-forum threads on a May visit describe autumn color as genuinely fantastic, posters naming this a real highlight even though no snow has arrived yet. Regulars call weather genuinely rainy and unstable this time of year, several posters naming this the standard tradeoff for catching peak fall foliage. Posters call the first two weeks of May genuinely the safer bet for color specifically, several regulars naming this window before both crowds and prices drop further later in the month. Regulars call fewer tours and activities genuinely running by May, several threads naming a restricted schedule as standard once peak summer season winds down. Posters recommend real flexible plans around unstable May weather, several regulars calling this standard given how quickly conditions can shift day to day. The record: 10.8C days, 1.2C nights, 94.5mm across over 12 days and 87 percent humidity.
BarilocheMayRegular · May · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Bariloche-forum threads on a mid-April visit describe this as low season, posters calling it a bit cold and often windy with a real chance of showers, though sunny stretches still turn up even as temperatures stay cool. Regulars recommend packing wind gear regardless of forecast, several posters describing Patagonian conditions here as genuinely variable day to day. Posters call April the tail end of the summer crowd meeting the start of real autumn color, several regulars naming this contrast as the main reason they time trips for this window. Regulars call the town noticeably quieter than peak season, fewer tourists cited as a genuine advantage for anyone prioritizing space on the Circuito Chico. Posters recommend booking a rental car ahead despite low season, several threads noting availability can still be tighter than expected. The record: 15.4C days feeling like 13C, 2.8C nights, an extraordinarily high 76.9mm across over 9 days and 79 percent humidity.
BarilocheAprilRegular · April · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
San Carlos de Bariloche-forum threads on an early October visit describe higher trails as still closed, posters calling lower-elevation walks like Cerro Campanario and the Circuito Chico the real options while snow lingers above. Regulars call the month mild-cold overall, real winter clothing still recommended though conditions considerably milder than July or August. Posters recommend kayaking, a visit to Isla Victoria and the Arrayanes forest as strong October picks regardless of trail closures higher up. Regulars call rafting still running, water levels typically good with spring melt underway. Posters recommend checking specific trail status before planning a hike, conditions at altitude shifting fast this early in spring. Regulars call October a transition month, considerably quieter than the winter peak with lake scenery already opening up. The record: 14.6C days feeling like 13C, 1.9C nights, an extraordinarily high 66.8mm across over 9 days and 68 percent humidity.
BarilocheOctoberRegular · October · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗
Bariloche-forum threads on whether June is a good idea are consistent this sits right at the start of the ski season, Cerro Catedral traditionally opening around the eighteenth though posters call the exact date genuinely dependent on how much has fallen by then. Regulars describe conditions as close to or below freezing overnight, real winter clothing standing advice regardless of whether the lifts are running yet. Posters call this a strong window even without guaranteed skiing, horse riding, trekking and the lake scenery all worth building a June trip around. Regulars are direct coverage this early can be thin some years, checking current base depth before committing to a ski-focused itinerary a real must. Posters call the town itself pleasant and far less crowded than peak July, a genuine upside of visiting before the main rush. The record: 7.7C days feeling like 4C, -0.4C nights, a notably high 66.9cm of fresh accumulation and 89 percent humidity.
BarilocheJuneRegular · June · 1 month ago · Read more on Tripadvisor ↗

Add your own note from San Carlos de Bariloche's card on the map.

San Carlos de Bariloche climate normals — December

Daytime high22°C / 71°F😎 nice
Nighttime low7°C / 44°F
Feels like (high)20°C / 68°F
Rainfall33 mm / 1.3 in🌦 some rain
Rainy days6 days
Humidity66%💧 humid
Dew point3°C / 38°F
Sunshine13.1 h/day
Daylight15.1 h
Wind17 km/h / 10 mph
Snowfall1.2 cm / 0.5 in
Air quality (US AQI)20🍃 good

Monthly averages from ERA5 reanalysis. AQI is the mean US Air Quality Index for the month.

Crowds in San Carlos de Bariloche in December

How busy the place itself is — school and mass holidays, the months an editor tagged, and how sought-after the weather makes them. Never part of the comfort score.

Peak crowdsthe editor's peak month, Argentine summer holidays, Summer holidays in Argentina

JFMAMJJASOND

Peak crowdsBusyShoulder seasonQuiet

Best months for San Carlos de Bariloche's weather

Ranked by this destination's own climate comfort score across the year — a different thing from how busy it gets (see Crowds above).

Toughest weatherSan Carlos de Bariloche's weather peaks June–August, best around July.

December coincides with Patagonian fire season.

JFMAMJJASOND

Best weatherFair weatherToughest weather

What's on in San Carlos de Bariloche in December

Recurring seasonal events, natural spectacles, closures and holidays — curated and sourced.

  • Season

    Trout fishing season

    1 Nov – 1 May · usuallyForaging season

    The Nahuel Huapi season opens in November and closes at the start of May, with a licence sold by the day at the park office. The Limay below the lake and Boca del Correntoso are the classic beats.

  • Season

    Mountain refuges open

    15 Nov – 15 Apr · usuallyTrail season

    The Club Andino huts on Frey, Jakob and Lopez are staffed for the summer half of the year; outside it the high traverses need snow gear and a plan.

  • Nature

    Lupins on the roadsides

    15 Nov – 10 Jan · usuallyWildflowers & blooms

    Introduced lupins take over the verges and lake shores from mid-November, at the same time as the long light and the Patagonian wind.

  • Hazard

    Patagonian fire season

    1 Dec – 31 Mar · usuallySmoke seasonClosures

    Nahuel Huapi runs a fire risk level through the dry summer and closes trails, campsites and whole valleys when it peaks. A bad January puts smoke over the lake for a week at a time. Source ↗

  • Holiday

    Argentine summer holidays

    20 Dec – 28 FebSchool holidaysCrowded

    The town is a national holiday destination and January is the proof: full lake beaches, booked refuges and rates that only come down in March. Source ↗

What's on around the world in December →

Nearby, and something's on

Within 300 km of San Carlos de Bariloche — a day trip or a short hop — with something on this month. Never part of the comfort score.

Where is San Carlos de Bariloche?

Loading map…

San Carlos de Bariloche in December — FAQ

Is December a good time to visit San Carlos de Bariloche?
December in San Carlos de Bariloche: nice, a little rain, with clean air — not the best time to visit. It ranks #10 of 12 months for San Carlos de Bariloche on SeasonMap's comfort score (17/100).
What is the weather like in San Carlos de Bariloche in December?
In December, San Carlos de Bariloche averages a daily high of 21.5°C and a low of 6.5°C, with about 33.1 mm of rain over roughly 5.6 rainy days.
What is the air quality in San Carlos de Bariloche in December?
San Carlos de Bariloche has a mean US Air Quality Index of about 20 in December.
Does it snow in San Carlos de Bariloche in December?
San Carlos de Bariloche sees roughly 1.2 cm of snowfall in December.

Within 300 km: San Martín de los Andes' Trail and Lanin season around 15 Nov – 15 Apr.