Although Greenland is located close to the Arctic Circle (and its vast uninhabited part even much further north of the Arctic Circle), its climate is mild for this latitude.

The main contributor to the milder climate is the Gulf Stream, which causes temperatures to reach 11 °C from June to the end of August in the south-western part of the island and to stay between 0 °C and -15 °C in winter.

However, due to the frequent winds, it may seem a little colder than the thermometer shows.

In Greenland, the sun does not stay in the sky for very long in winter. However, you can see the Northern Lights, which are normally visible from October to March. See the chapter on tips for observing:

• Aurora Borealis in Greenland

At the beginning of summer, on the other hand, you can watch the midnight sun setting and rising endlessly.

Differences between north and south?

Greenland is a huge island, so it's natural that not all areas have the same climate.

We leave out the largest part of the island, the endless ice sheet of the interior, where the climate is purely Arctic. For tourists, it is the climate on the coast, where the towns are, and the polar tundra climate that is important.

However, there are quite significant differences in the climate in the south, around Nuuk, north of the Arctic Circle, but there is also a different microclimate on the east coast.

• Ilulissat and surroundings - the most touristy area lies far above the Arctic Circle and enjoys relatively stable weather with less rainfall than areas to the south or east. However, temperatures are considerably lower than in, say, Nuuk or Narsaq, due to the location in the north.
• Nuuk, the Greenlandic capital, has an unpleasant microclimate with very frequent fogs that can appear (but also disappear) quite unexpectedly. The weather around Nuuk is one of the least predictable in Greenland.
• Tasiilaq, a popular hiking centre on the east coast, is one of the locations with the highest rainfall in Greenland. Good waterproof equipment is an absolute must.
• Narsarsuaq - the southernmost part of Greenland is also the hottest and temperatures can reach over 15°C during the summer. The south is quite rainy and snowy, but the intensity of precipitation is much lower than in Nuuk or Sisimiut.

Uncertainty in the weather forecast

Greenland is a specific place where the combination of the harsh Arctic climate, the warm Gulf Stream and the lack of weather stations make it extremely difficult to predict the weather accurately.

In general, any weather forecast more than 5 days in advance is highly uncertain and can be given virtually no weight.

A weather forecast is only reliable 1-2 days in advance at most.

Temperatures and weather during the year

The sunrise and sunset times listed below are approximate (we give the time for the 15th of each month) and vary by up to half an hour between the northern and southern parts of Greenland.

Weather in January

January is the main month of the winter season, when people travel to Greenland for dog sledding, adrenaline-pumping snowmobiling or aurora viewing.

During January, it freezes and snows all over Greenland and north of the Arctic Circle the sun never rises above the horizon.

	Ilulissat	Nuuk
Average temperature	-13	-7
Sunrise	All day down	10:54
Sunset	All day down	16:20
Chance of sunshine of sunshine	0 %	5 %

Weather in February

February is one of the best months to see the Aurora Borealis. Even though there is slightly more sunshine in February, there are still dark skies for most of the day, but at the same time you can do various activities during the daylight hours.

February is generally the coldest month in Greenland, with normal temperatures in the south around -8 °C and in the north below -15 °C.

	Ilulissat	Nuuk
Average temperature	-15 °C	-8 °C
Sunrise	9:50	9:20
Sunset	17:27	18:00
Chance of Sunshine Sunshine	13 %	9 %

Weather in March

March around the vernal equinox generally sees the most aurora activity, but the days are getting much longer and therefore the period of dark sky when the aurora can be seen is getting shorter.

Even with the longer days and still very cold weather, however, March is the best month for winter activities such as snowmobiling, dog sledding and snowshoeing.

Find hotel prices in Greenland

	Ilulissat	Nuuk
Average temperature	-15 °C	-7 °C
Sunrise	7:45	7:45
Sunset	19:22	19:27
Sun Chance of sunshine	26 %	30 %

Weather in April

April is one of the worst months to visit Greenland.

The weather is still freezing, but there are days when temperatures rise above freezing, the snow melts and winter activities are no longer possible. On the other hand, there is still enough snow and too cold to make hiking and other summer activities possible.

Most of the companies running organised tours are closed in April.

	Ilulissat	Nuuk
Average temperature	-6 °C	-2 °C
Sunrise	6:25	6:55
Sunset	22:25	22:00
Chance of Sunshine Sunshine	37 %	37 %

Weather in May

May is also a very bad month to visit Greenland and the first half of the month is perhaps even worse than April.

During May the temperature in the tourist areas is around 0°C, the snow melts and the hiking trails are muddy. Most tourist agencies are closed even during the first half of May.

Hiking is usually only possible in the second half of May, at least on shorter treks around towns. The last week of May is also usually when tourist agencies start operating, such as some cruises.

Late May is a good month if you want to save money and are not planning to go on long-distance treks. This is because hotels are significantly cheaper at this time than during the summer.

Book a hotel with an off-season discount

	Ilulissat	Nuuk
Average temperature	1 °C	2 °C
Sunrise	3:38	5:10
Sunset	1:00	23:37
Sun Chance of sunshine	42 %	38 %

Weather in June

June is the first month of the summer season, when all tourist agencies start operating.

Temperatures usually stay above freezing and the days are very long. In fact, in most of Greenland, the sun doesn't set below the horizon at all, making June an absolutely amazing month for watching the midnight sun.

For long-distance hikes like the Arctic Circle Trail, however, we recommend choosing the end of June, as there can still be plenty of snow in large parts of the interior in the first half of the month.

	Ilulissat	Nuuk
Average temperature	8 °C	7 °C
Sunrise	Up all day	3:55
Sunset	Up all day	1:00
Chance of Sunshine Of Sunshine	42 %	40 %

Weather in July

July is the peak season and the hottest month in Greenland. Average temperatures normally rise above 10°C and there is also the best chance of sunny skies.

During July, all organised tours operate and this month is the main season for long-distance trekking.

	Ilulissat	Nuuk
Average temperature	11 °C	11 °C
Sunrise	Up all day	4:40
Sunset	Up all day	0:26
Chance of the Sun Sunshine	39 %	38 %

Weather in August

August is also the main summer season for hiking, boating and other summer activities.

However, you should be aware that towards the end of August it can exceptionally snow and temperatures can reach freezing point. However, this is not the norm and August is the second best month to visit Greenland after July.

	Ilulissat	Nuuk
Average temperature	9 °C	10 °C
Sunrise	5:13	6:18
Sunset	23:22	22:42
Sun Chance of sunshine	39 %	39 %

Weather in September

During September, the summer season ends, and from the middle of the month some agencies stop offering boat trips or organised walking tours.

Towards the end of September, snowfall is relatively frequent and there is a risk of a lot of snow in the interior.

However, September is still a good month to visit, especially if you are planning shorter treks and cruises around the main tourist centres.

	Ilulissat	Nuuk
Average temperature	5 °C	6 °C
Sunrise	7:38	7:50
Sunset	20:57	20:52
Sun Chance Sunshine	30 %	28 %

Weather in October

October is, along with April, the worst month to visit Greenland.

Summer activities, especially hiking, are usually no longer possible as there is a lot of snow on the roads. Conversely, there is little snow for winter activities such as dog sledding or snowmobile tours.

Virtually no tourist agencies operate during October and many hotels remain closed.

	Ilulissat	Nuuk
Average temperature	-1 °C	1 °C
Sunrise	9:33	9:17
Sunset	18:44	19:06
Sun Chance of sunshine	22 %	11 %

Weather in November

November is the first month when winter activities start to work, as temperatures are consistently below 0°C and there is plenty of snow.

If you're heading to Greenland for a winter adventure, however, we recommend the second half of November, when there's a much better chance of snowy long-distance routes for snowmobiling.

	Ilulissat	Nuuk
Average temperature	-6 °C	-2 °C
Sunrise	10:58	9:56
Sunset	15:18	16:26
Sun Chance Sunshine	23 %	10 %

Weather in December

December is the first month of the main winter season, when travel to Greenland is mainly for dog sledding and snowmobiling.

December is also aurora season, but due to the often cloudy skies, there is usually a better chance towards the end of winter in March.

	Ilulissat	Nuuk
Average temperature	-8 °C	-6 °C
Sunrise	Down all day	11:16
Sunset	Down all day	15:27
Chance of sunshine of sunshine	0 %	5 %