• Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Events
Visit Greenland
  • Home
  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
    • All destinations
    • North Greenland
    • Destination Arctic Circle
    • Capital Region
    • South Greenland
    • East Greenland
    • The National Park
  • Plan Your Trip
  • About Greenland
  • Articles
  • Events
  • Cruise
  • Practical Questions
  • Package tours & providers
  • Your Local Travel Agency
  • Contact
  • Search
  • A sunny winter storm over Nuuk's suburb Qinngorput, Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland

Arctic weather: for better or for worse

A photo collection to show all the wonderful types of weather in Greenland, plus tips on how to thrive in them

It can be blisteringly cold in winter with snow storms lasting for days, and winds can be so forceful that the rest of the world would call them hurricanes. But strong weather is fortunately not the only type in Greenland. It can also be downright hot in summer, making you break a sweat just sitting outdoors.

All weathers are beautiful in their own way, as long as you are prepared for them. Here are 7 different types of weather with a few ideas for how to beat them at their own game.

All weathers are beautiful in their own way, as long as you are prepared for them.

Continues further down the page...

Package Tours

Arctic Umiaq Line: Discover Greenland from the sea

Arctic Umiaq Line

Discover Greenland from the sea

The coastal ship Sarfaq Ittuk sails from southern Greenland up along Greenland’s west coast to Disko Bay.

FROM 500 DKK
Blue Ice Explorer: Backpacking and hiking in Greenland

Blue Ice Explorer

Backpacking and hiking in Greenland!

A backpacking trip where you get off the beaten track! Experience life at sheep farms, settlements and the town Narsaq.

FROM €737
Disko Line: Calving glaciers, whales and icebergs

Disko Line

Calving glaciers, whales and icebergs

Let the magnificent nature of Greenland get under your skin on boat trips in an extraordinary landscape of glaciers and icebergs.

FROM €1,477
Greenland by Topas – Summer tour: Disko Island, Icebergs and Eqi Glacier

Greenland by Topas

Summer tour: Disko Island, Icebergs and Eqi Glacier

Experience Disko Island’s glaciers, Disko Bay’s huge icebergs and legendary whales, then further north, Eqi Glacier's deafening calving events.

FROM €3,615
Show More

Windy

Some towns are notorious for being windy – like Nuuk – but in general, any town or settlement in Greenland can get breezy at the drop of a hat, as nearly all of them are located on the coast. Winds of 5-10 mps are doable and nothing to worry about, but once you get up into the range of 15-20 mps, the wind is impossible to ignore. FYI – winds up to 25-30 mps are not uncommon.

Tip: The best way to beat the wind is to use windproof outer layers and to keep your head warm with a hat or a Buff headband. A cosy wool sweater doesn’t hurt either. And if you should have a sailing tour scheduled on a windy day, it is best to have your sea legs about you! But if it is too windy, the tour might be cancelled anyway.

Foggy

Fog can be tricky business because it not only makes the temperature drop but also disorients a bit by hiding landmarks in a grey, misty cloak.

Tip: Take an extra warm layer plus a warm hat on hiking or boat tours so you can brush off the chill. A thin waterproof outer layer will help keep the wet mist from settling in your clothes. If you are out hiking without a guide and are wary of the route, stay where you are until the fog dissipates.

On the plus side, fog can make for really dramatic photos!

High sunshine

High sunshine is of course what everyone would probably wish for, but maybe what nobody expects in Greenland. The truth is, in summer it actually can get surprisingly warm when sitting on the terrace or hiking with a pack. And north of the Arctic Circle, the sun does not go away in the summer months. In the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn, there can easily be plenty of sunshine, but it probably won’t be warm enough to sit outside and sunbathe.

Tip: No matter the season, even in winter, bring sunscreen and apply it often. There are no trees to protect you from harmful UV rays, and if you are doing an activity like skiing or glacier walking on the Greenland Ice Sheet, there will be a lot of reflection. Also bring sunglasses and a water bottle. Wear loose-fitting clothes made of breathable materials because it is easier to adjust body temperature with several thin layers than one thick layer.

Cold to the bone

Greenland remains a frozen planet from late autumn to late spring with temperatures plummeting to 20-30 degrees below zero in many places in the coldest months of December, January and February. It is fantastic to imagine society thriving in this environment.

Tip: To be able to spend more than two minutes outdoors you must have a well-insulated winter jacket, and it helps if it has a hood with a lining. Insulated snow pants, winter boots, wool socks, plus a hat and scarf and gloves are also needed. Depending on your activity, long underwear will also be good. Many Greenlanders swear by Canada Goose brand and muskox wool products.

With so many pieces, thank goodness for coat checks in the hotels and restaurants.

For an overview of winter clothing, see this short video:

Snowy

The snow can be so peaceful and soothing, blanketing everything in a fresh layer of white that crunches underfoot. It even gives the air a particular scent.

Tip: Freshly-fallen snow can be quite slippery on ice-covered ground, so for a little extra stability, use easy-to-remove shoe grips with spikes. Just remember to remove them before going into shops.

Rainy

In summer, rain replaces snow, giving life to all the flowers and angelica, making them grow colourful and large while they can. Getting wet does not scare Greenlanders, so your city tour or outdoor adventure most likely will not get cancelled just because it is raining. Oddly enough, thunder and lightning are a rare occasion.

Tip: Pack a rain jacket and rain pants, and it would be a good thing if your shoes or hiking boots were waterproof, too. A lightweight wool sweater in the pack might also be a welcome sight.

but exceptions,

Total white-out & Piteraq storm

These most extreme of the extreme conditions are normal for Greenland here and there in the winter and spring, but they do not last for more than a few days. If you should travel on one of these days, you will be delayed. But don’t worry; cabin fever does not set in until Day 5.

Tip: The best thing to do on these high-wind and dangerous days is stay inside where it is warm and dry with a hot mug of something delicious. Don’t forget a good book!

Explore related articles, offers and tour providers:

  • Anytime
  • Climate
  • Culture vs Nature
  • Natural Experiences
  • Summer
  • Things to do & About
  • Weather
  • Winter

By Sarah Woodall

Sarah is a former Visit Greenland employee who now continues the adventure as Destination Manager in South Greenland.

https://2kalaallitnunaatigo.wordpress.com/

Editors' pick

Diving into the Nuuk fjord as the sun is setting. Photo by Peter Lindstrom - Visit Greenland

Editor’s tips for 2021

Greenland’s on your bucket list for the new year - or perhaps even the year after - but when is the best time to visit Greenland and what are useful things to know before going? What are things to do in Greenland in winter as opposed to summer?

  • #All destinations
  • #Anything
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Boat Tours
  • #Capital Region
  • #Cross Country Skiing
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Destination Arctic Circle
  • #Disko Bay
  • #Dog Sledding
  • #East Greenland
  • #Fly fishing
  • #Glaciers
  • #Heliskiing
  • #Hiking
  • #Hot Springs
  • #Hunting
  • #Ice fishing
  • #Icebergs
  • #Ilulissat
  • #Ilulissat Icefjord
  • #Inuit Culture
  • #Ittoqqortoormiit
  • #Kangerlussuaq
  • #Kayaking
  • #Maniitsoq
  • #Midnight Sun
  • #Music
  • #Nanortalik
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #North Greenland
  • #Northern Lights
  • #Nuuk
  • #Regions
  • #River fishing
  • #Seasons
  • #Sisimiut
  • #Ski Touring
  • #Snowmobiling
  • #Snowshoeing
  • #South Greenland
  • #Summer
  • #Tasiilaq
  • #The Ice Sheet
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Uummannaq
  • #Vikings
  • #Weather
  • #Whale Watching
  • #Winter
Disko Bay Steam in Ilulissat Ice Fjord. Photo - David Trood, Visit Greenland

Greenland vs Iceland: The Arctic Travel Battle

10 basic differences between Greenland and Iceland you should know before booking your vacation.

  • #All destinations
  • #Anything
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Attraction
  • #Camping
  • #Capital Region
  • #Climate
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Destination Arctic Circle
  • #Disko Bay
  • #East Greenland
  • #Glaciers
  • #Guided sightseeing
  • #Hot Springs
  • #Ilulissat
  • #Ilulissat Icefjord
  • #Inuit Culture
  • #Kangerlussuaq
  • #Nanortalik
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Norse History
  • #North Greenland
  • #Northern Lights
  • #Nuuk
  • #Qaqortoq
  • #Qeqertarsuaq
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #South Greenland
  • #Souvenir shopping
  • #Summer
  • #The Ice Sheet
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Vikings
  • #Weather
  • #Wildlife tours
  • #Winter
A glacier hiker on the Greenland Ice Sheet kicking up ice on a sunny day near Kangerlussuaq. Photo by Mads Pihl - Visit Greenland.

8 Things You Can Only Find in Greenland and Nowhere Else

Here is a list of things that you can find ONLY in Greenland and nowhere else in the world.

  • #All destinations
  • #Anything
  • #Anytime
  • #Anywhere
  • #Architecture
  • #Arctic Wildlife
  • #Art
  • #Attraction
  • #Craft
  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #Food & Drinks
  • #Gastronomy
  • #Greenlandic Gastronomy
  • #Inuit Culture
  • #Language
  • #Natural Expereinces
  • #Natural Experiences
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Souvenir shopping
  • #The Ice Sheet
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
  • #Wildlife tours
Arctic hare in Ittoqqortoormiit. Photo by Bo Normander.

Beautiful hike in Ittoqqortoormiit in East Greenland

A hike to the abandoned village of Uunarteq (Cape Tobin) offers incomparably beautiful Arctic nature, challenging terrain and close encounters with snow hares, eider ducks, sea urchins and, if you are lucky / unlucky, polar bears.

  • #Cultural Experiences
  • #Culture vs Nature
  • #East Greenland
  • #Fauna
  • #Hiking
  • #Ittoqqortoormiit
  • #Natural Expereinces
  • #Regions
  • #Seasons
  • #Summer
  • #Things to do & About
  • #Towns & settlements
More related articles

Keep Exploring

Things to Do

Browse culture and nature (outdoor, hunting, fishing, cruises) related activities, as well as combination of both types.

Plan your trip

Read about practical information on how to get to Greenland, how to get around, when to travel or where to stay.

Destinations

Explore the regions and towns around Greenland and dig deeper into the experiences in each destination.

About Greenland

All about art, music, history, as well as animals, climate change and other interesting information about Greenland.

Visit Greenland

About Visit Greenland

Behind Greenland's largest travel site is the Visit Greenland that is 100% owned by the Government of Greenland, who is responsible for marketing the country's adventures and opportunities for guests wishing to visit the world's largest island.

The VisitGreenland.com website is created by Visit Greenland and Kathart Interactive.

The Privacy Policy for Visit Greenland

Frequently Visited Pages

  • Things to Do
  • Destinations
  • Nature & Climate
  • When to go
  • Greenlandic Culture
  • Frequently Asked Questions

Other Websites By Visit Greenland:

  • Travel Trade
  • Cruise Call List
  • Media Database

Newsletter

Receive inspiring stories, travel deals and news from Greenland via email.

SIGN UP HERE

GREENLAND – contact us:

Mon. - Fri: 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Hans Egedesvej 29
P.O. Box 1615
3900 Nuuk
Greenland

Direct phone Greenland:
(+299) 34 28 21

info@visitgreenland.com

DENMARK – Contact us:

Mon. - Fri. 8 am - 4 pm

Visit Greenland
Strandgade 91
1401 Copenhagen
Denmark

Direct phone Denmark:
(+45) 32 83 38 80

info@visitgreenland.com
Scroll to top