Weather in Ilulissat and best time to go
Ilulissat lies about 350 km north of the Arctic Circle and has an Arctic tundra climate with long, hard winters and short summers.
Normal winter temperatures drop to -15 °C, while summer temperatures reach an average of 10 °C.
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Ilulissat weather specifics
Before travelling to Ilulissat and the surrounding area, you should take note of the specifics of the Arctic weather.
- The weather forecast is reliable at a maximum of 1-2 days in advance
- Frost can be calm even in the middle of summer, although rather rarely
- During winter there are long weeks when the sun does not rise above the horizon at all
- During summer, on the other hand, there are weeks when the sun does not go below the horizon at all
- If you are planning a boat trip, always have good quality clothing with wind and rain resistance
Weather during the year
We describe the weather in more detail in the Greenland guide.
Weather in winter
Winters are very dark in Ilulissat and for several weeks in December and January you won't see the sun rise above the horizon at all.
Temperatures routinely drop below -15°C (-15°F), so only true winter lovers and winter activities will head to Ilulissat.
It often snows and there is an unpleasant wind that makes the temperature feel even lower.
Spring weather
Spring is one of the worst times to visit northern Greenland. It is short and prevails mainly in April and the first half of May.
During spring there are periods when it is above freezing (5 to 9 °C) for several days in a row, but there can also be several days of frost (even below -5 °C) and snow.
Winter activities are no longer possible during this period, but as there is still plenty of snow and the sea is frozen, summer activities are not organised either.
Summer weather
The short summer lasts from mid-June to early September, with maximum temperatures rising to between 8 °C and 11 °C.
From late May to mid-July the sun never sets below the horizon and shines 24/7. Some hotels don't have perfect blackout so we recommend bringing an eye mask.
In summer, the chances of clear skies are highest (about 38%).
Weather in autumn
Autumn is bounded by the months of October and November, when temperatures are around -4°C and snow regularly falls.
However, there is not yet enough snow on the roads for dog sledding or snowmobiling, and all summer activities are out of the way.
Table of temperatures during the year
Ilulissat - Weather and temperatures during the year
When to go to Ilulissat
When travelling to Ilulissat, it is very important to plan your time in this Arctic country well.
Seasonality is key in Greenland and if you go there just because of a cheap ticket but at the wrong time, you can completely ruin your trip.
We detail what activities to do in Ilulissat in summer and winter here.
- High season for hiking, boating, sightseeing and other summer activities - second half of June to first half of September
- High season for dog sledding or snowmobiling, or aurora borealis - second half of November to the end of March
Book your hotel in Ilulissat in advance
The low season, with significantly lower accommodation rates and the possibility of shorter treks around the larger towns, is the second half of May, the first half of June and the end of September.
When to avoid travel to Ilulissat altogether?
The worst months to travel to Ilulissat are definitely April, the first half of May and October. During these periods, there are virtually no tourist services operating, agencies organising organised tours and the weather is neither winter nor summer.
It is not possible to comfortably undertake even walking tours on your own due to the snow on the roads.
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