El Calafate has a cold, dry Patagonian climate with cool summers and very cold, snowy winters. Summer highs average 16–19°C, while winter lows can drop below -4°C. Rain is scarce year-round, with slightly wetter conditions in autumn and winter. Strong winds are common, especially in summer, and daylight hours vary dramatically by season.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
El Calafate, located on the southern edge of Argentine Patagonia, experiences a temperate arid climate with significant seasonal contrasts. Summers (December–February) are mild, with average highs of 16–19°C and cool nights around 5–8°C. Rain is very scarce in summer – typically less than 10 mm per month – and humidity is low, averaging 35–45%. Despite the mild temperatures, strong westerly winds are frequent, especially from October to February, sometimes reaching over 30 km/h. Days are long, with up to 16 hours of daylight and 9–10 hours of sunshine in January, making it the best season for outdoor exploration and glacier viewing. Occasionally, brief warm spells can push temperatures above 24°C, but cold snaps can still bring frosty nights even in summer.
Winters (June–August) are cold and snowy, with average highs of 3–6°C and lows dropping to -4°C or lower. Snowfall is common from May to September, and cold spells can see temperatures plunge to -15°C. The area is protected from the harshest Patagonian winds by surrounding mountains, but breezes remain a feature year-round. Winter days are short, with only 8–9 hours of daylight and 3–4 hours of sunshine. Precipitation remains low, with 10–20 mm per month, but snow can accumulate, creating a wintry landscape. Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) are transitional, with rapidly changing weather, crisp air, and beautiful scenery – autumn brings colourful foliage, while spring sees wildflowers and returning wildlife. Annual precipitation is just 160 mm, making El Calafate as dry as many deserts, and the city enjoys around 2,300 hours of sunshine per year.
| Average climate data for El Calafate, Argentina | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 19 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 19 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 8 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 0 | -2 | -3 | -1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | -3 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 13 | 8 | 14 | 25 | 31 | 21 | 26 | 21 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 14 | 209 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 4 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 65 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 18 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 46 | 47 | 53 | 61 | 70 | 74 | 75 | 70 | 61 | 54 | 47 | 46 | 59 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 8 | 7 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 6 |
| Average UV index | 8 | 7 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 4 |
The best time to visit El Calafate is from November to March, during the Patagonian spring and summer. These months offer the mildest temperatures (10–19°C), long daylight hours, and the best conditions for trekking, glacier tours, and boat trips. Summer is also when you can witness glacier calving and enjoy the region’s vibrant wildlife and wildflowers.
The least favourable time to visit is from June to August, when winter brings very cold temperatures (highs of 3–6°C, lows below -4°C), frequent snow, and short days. Many hiking trails and tours are limited or closed, and strong winds can make outdoor activities challenging, though the snowy scenery is beautiful for those seeking a winter experience.
El Calafate has cool, dry summers (highs 16–19°C) and very cold, snowy winters (highs 3–6°C, lows below -4°C). Rain is scarce year-round, and strong winds are common, especially in summer.
Yes, snow is common from May to September, especially in winter. Snowfall can accumulate, but overall precipitation is low, so snow cover is not usually deep except during cold spells.
January and December are the sunniest months, with up to 9–10 hours of sunshine daily and daylight lasting up to 16 hours. Winter months have only 3–4 hours of sunshine and 8–9 hours of daylight.
El Calafate is known for strong westerly winds, especially from October to February. Winds can reach over 30 km/h in summer, making windproof jackets and sunglasses essential for outdoor activities.
Pack layers, a windproof jacket, sun protection, and sturdy shoes year-round. In winter, bring thermal clothing, gloves, and a hat. Sunglasses are essential due to strong sunlight and glare from ice and snow.
Yes, especially from November to March, when temperatures are mild and days are long. This is the best time for trekking, glacier tours, and boat trips. Winter is best for snow scenery, but some activities are limited.
El Calafate is very dry, receiving only around 160 mm of precipitation per year. Most rain falls in autumn and winter, but even then, amounts are low compared to most other destinations.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is January (18.7 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is July (4.2 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 12.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is January (7.7 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is July (-2.8 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 2.8 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is May (30.7 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (7.7 mm). Over the whole year there are 209.5 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is April (8.1 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (3.1 days). Over the whole year there are 64.9 days of rain on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is July (5 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are November and December (0 days). Over the whole year there are 18.5 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is July (75.5 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is December (45.9 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 58.8 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is December (Average daylight: 16 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is June (Average daylight: 8 h). Over the whole year there are 11.6 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 8.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 2.9 h). Over the whole year there are 5.5 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is December (UV index: 9). The months with the lowest average UV index are May, June, July and August (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.2.
