When to go · El Calafate

El Calafate in August

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (cold, short days, some services closed).

Key facts

Verdict: Avoid
Temperature: 7°C (44°F)44°F (7°C) / −3°C (27°F)27°F (−3°C); average high / low
Rain days: 14
Crowds: Low; Argentina overall
Prices: Low; Argentina overall

Plan around it

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for El Calafate

Listed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (cold, short days, some services closed).

August is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Long-term averages

El CalafateHighs around 6.9 °C (44 °F), lows around -2.8 °C (27 °F), rain on about 14 daysHighs around 44 °F (6.9 °C), lows around 27 °F (-2.8 °C), rain on about 14 days
Southern Patagonia, Argentina · El Calafate, El Chaltén, Puerto Madryncool
Wind up to 100 km/h (62 mph) in summer; El Chaltén largely shuts from May to September. Whales at Península Valdés June–December.Wind up to 62 mph (100 km/h) in summer; El Chaltén largely shuts from May to September. Whales at Península Valdés June–December.

Argentina overall: Late winter: Northwest dry and clear; Iguazú pleasant; Patagonia still closed for hiking.

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in El Calafate, side by side.

First month

Second month

Verdict
Aug: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Aug: 6.9 °C (44 °F)44 °F (6.9 °C)
Jan: 19.1 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19.1 °C)
Night low
Aug: -2.8 °C (27 °F)27 °F (-2.8 °C)
Jan: 7.2 °C (45 °F)45 °F (7.2 °C)
Rain days
Aug: 14
Jan: 7 (better)
Crowds
Aug: Low
Jan: High
Prices
Aug: Low
Jan: High
Festivals listed
Aug: 0
Jan: 0

August: Listed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (cold, short days, some services closed).

January: Inside El Calafate's best window: Nov–Mar (long days, mild, windy).

El Calafate: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.