San Carlos de Bariloche features a cool, sub-oceanic climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, sunny summers. The city experiences four distinct seasons, dramatic temperature swings, and moderate to high rainfall, especially in autumn and winter. Bariloche’s lakeside and mountain setting provides a picturesque backdrop for year-round outdoor activities and seasonal contrasts.
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.
Bariloche’s climate is shaped by its Patagonian location and elevation (about 790 metres), resulting in clear seasonal contrasts. Summers (December–February) are mild and sunny, with average highs of 20–22°C and lows of 6–8°C. Days are long, with up to 15 hours of daylight and 10–11 hours of sunshine, while rainfall is at its lowest (25–35 mm/month). Nights can be cool, and winds from the southwest are common, making evenings brisk even in summer. The lake remains chilly, but beaches and outdoor activities are popular.
Winters (June–August) are cold and snowy, with average highs of 4–7°C and lows near –1 to –2°C. Snowfall is frequent, especially in July and August, and the city is a hub for skiing and winter sports. Winter days are short, with just 4 hours of sunshine and 9–10 hours of daylight. Rain and snow are most abundant in these months (up to 130 mm/month), and humidity can reach 80–86%. Spring (September–November) and autumn (March–May) are transitional, with variable weather, blooming wildflowers or colourful foliage, and average highs from 10–17°C. Rainfall increases in autumn, and winds can be brisk, especially in October and November. Annual precipitation ranges from 800 to 1,000 mm, mostly falling in autumn and winter. Winds are generally moderate (15–20 km/h), and humidity averages 55–75% through the year.
| Average climate data for San Carlos de Bariloche, Argentina | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 22 | 22 | 19 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 17 | 20 | 22 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 7 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 1 | -1 | -1 | -1 | -0 | 1 | 4 | 6 | -1 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 33 | 35 | 57 | 79 | 154 | 179 | 169 | 132 | 79 | 49 | 45 | 47 | 1,057 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 14 | 14 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 109 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 11 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 7 |
| Average UV index | 11 | 10 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 6 |
The best time to visit Bariloche is from December to March, when temperatures are mild (15–22°C), days are long and sunny, and rainfall is minimal. This period is perfect for hiking, lake activities, and exploring the surrounding national parks. Late spring and early autumn (November, March) also offer pleasant weather and fewer crowds.
The least favourable time to visit is from May to September, when Bariloche is coldest, days are shortest, and rain and snow are most frequent. While winter is ideal for skiing, outdoor activities can be limited by chilly, damp, and unpredictable weather, and some hiking trails may be inaccessible.
Bariloche has a cool, sub-oceanic climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, sunny summers. Spring and autumn are variable, with moderate rainfall and dramatic changes in temperature and daylight.
Summer temperatures in Bariloche typically reach 20–22°C, with occasional peaks above 28°C. Nights are cool (6–8°C), and humidity is moderate, making the weather comfortable for outdoor activities.
Yes, snow is common in Bariloche from June to September, especially in July and August. The city is a popular winter sports destination, with frequent snowfalls and frosty nights.
Rain and snow are most frequent in autumn and winter (April–August), with monthly precipitation up to 130 mm. Summer is much drier, with just 25–35 mm of rain per month.
Bariloche enjoys up to 11 hours of sunshine per day in summer and just 4 hours in winter. Annual sunshine averages about 1,900–2,000 hours, with long daylight in summer and short days in winter.
Pack layers, sun protection, and a jacket for cool evenings in summer. In winter, bring thermal clothing, waterproof boots, and sunglasses for snowy days. Always have rain gear and prepare for sudden weather changes.
Bariloche is moderately windy, especially in spring and summer, with average speeds of 15–20 km/h. Humidity averages 55–75%, highest in winter and lowest in summer.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is January (22 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is July (7 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 14.3 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is January (7.1 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is July (-1 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 2.4 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is June (179.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (32.5 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,056.8 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (15.1 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is December (5 days). Over the whole year there are 109.1 days of rain on average.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is December (Average daylight: 15 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is June (Average daylight: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 11.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 4 h). Over the whole year there are 7.2 h of sunlight per day on average.
The month with the highest average UV index is December (UV index: 12). The month with the lowest average UV index is June (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 6.
