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.
Since 81% of Greenland is covered by a continental ice sheet at high latitudes, almost all of the island is classified as polar. However, there are a few small areas where dry and continental climates exist.
In Anthony Dzik’s publication Greenland in Climographs, there are only four specific climates in Greenland (using the Köppen classification system, which we won’t delve into here):
Affectionately dubbed the Greenland Riviera by its locals, South Greenland surprises by having a relatively mild climate, natural forest growth and sheep farming. Its comparatively early embracement of summer allows the farming of local produce such as potato, carrot and salad outdoors.
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
NARSARSUAQ | -6.1 | -6.6 | -4.7 | 1.3 | 5.9 | 9.6 | 11.2 | 9.8 | 6.1 | 1.5 | -3.3 | -5.5 |
QAQORTOQ | -4.9 | -5.4 | -4.1 | 0.5 | 3.5 | 6.2 | 8 | 8.1 | 5.9 | 2.3 | -1.6 | -3.7 |
Most of South Greenland is classified as having a polar tundra climate with cold winters of below 0°C (32°F) and cool ephemeral summers of between 0°C (32°F) and 10°C (50°F). Vegetative cover on the tundra is generally hardy plants of short stature.
Weather-wise, Qaqortoq is the mildest capital in Greenland, with relatively gentler winters and pleasant blooming summers. Its coldest month is February with an average mean temperature of -5.0°C (41°F). 972mm (38.2 inches) of precipitation is accumulated each year.
Narsarsuaq is unique in Greenland for its snowy forest climate. It experiences 612 mm (24 inches) of precipitation over 81 days. It does not have a dry season, and despite it being less than 50 km (31 Miles) to the Greenland ice sheet there is no permafrost except at the ice margin. It is one of the key places you can find natural tree growth, for example around Signal Hill, and the pine and spruce forest at Qanasiassat 10km north of Narsarsuaq.
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.
Generally-speaking it is not that windy in Greenland. Many days are completely calm with glassy fjords and lakes. However, the wind can certainly pick up and when at its worst certain areas can experience so-called Foehn winds, which are often preceded by lens-shaped clouds. Foehn winds are usually warm winds from the southeast which can be very strong with gusts of more than 50 m/s (111 mph), and are usually followed by precipitation.
Destination Arctic Circle has a polar tundra climate, and in many areas experiences relatively low precipitation. In its capital Sisimiut, the stable weather of the town is tempered by the sea winds from the Davis strait. The settlements located not directly on the coast but within the fjords are colder in winter, but also a little warmer in summer.
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
SISIMIUT | -11.5 | -13.7 | -12 | -5.5 | 0.7 | 5.1 | 7.6 | 7.3 | 4.1 | -0.7 | -5.0 | -8.0 |
KANGERLUSSUAQ | -18.5 | -19.8 | -16.6 | -6.2 | 3.6 | 10 | 11.2 | 8.7 | 3.5 | -4.6 | -11.3 | -15.2 |
Kangerlussuaq, situated 67.0095° N, 50.7212° W, is the only true inland settlement in Greenland being located about 200km away from the sea. It is located about 10km away from the head of the Kangerlussuaq fjord, and 25km away from the edge of the Greenland Ice sheet.
The climate in Kangerlussuaq is very continental, with relatively hot summers averaging 8,7°C (47.6°F) and winters with a mean of minus -16.6°C (2.12°F). Its latitude and proximity to the Greenland Ice Sheet means that there is continuous permafrost. As it experiences low precipitation of 149mm (5.8 inches) per year, Kangerlussuaq is defined as a cold desert climate with vegetation consisting mostly of short grasses, sedges, lichens and dwarf willow. Wildlife such as muskox, arctic hares and reindeer thrive in the area.
The weather in Kangerlussuaq is calm. The low humidity and often low wind velocity in Kangerlussuaq means that it can feel much warmer than the temperature indicates. Stable weather is also the reason why the United States built the Bluie West Eight air base during World War II, and that Kangerlussuaq Airport is the main international gateway for Greenland (for now).
Make sure you have your sunglasses handy, not only for protection from the sun and snow but for the extremely low temperatures. Your eyeballs may freeze!
Super vision! Mountain crests that appear to be close are usually further away than you think due to the low humidity so keep this in mind when planning a hike.
The capital region is classified as a polar tundra climate like other coastal areas in Greenland.
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
NUUK | -7.7 | -8.3 | -7.8 | -3.2 | 1.1 | 4.7 | 7.0 | 6.7 | 3.9 | 0.1 | -3.3 | -5.3 |
PAAMIUT | -6.4 | -7.2 | -5.7 | -1.2 | 2.0 | 4.7 | 6.4 | 6.3 | 4.5 | 1.2 | -2.7 | -4.8 |
Nuuk, at 64°N is moderated by its position near the mouth of Nuuk Kangerlua Fjord. Summers are cool (6.1°C / 42.9°F), but winters are also not especially extreme (with monthly means of -7.1°C / 19.2 °F). Internally in Greenland, it is often joked that the capital is always rainy and foggy. While there are many days with marvellous sunshine, overcast and foggy conditions do occur frequently in the Nuuk fjord system. September has the highest amount of precipitation, with 90.2mm (33.3 inches) per year. There are around 123 days with precipitation.
The fjord does not freeze in the winter months but Nuuk harbour can get up to 30cm (11.8 inches) thick sea ice. Icebergs and bergy bits are often visible around the city.
Paamiut lies south of Nuuk at 61.59°N. Like much of the west coast it has a polar tundra climate. Its surrounding sea does not freeze in the winter, but it does receive icebergs with the East Greenland Current especially during the Autumn.
If you are out hiking without a guide and the fog creeps in, stay where you are until the fog dissipates, if you are unsure of the route. On the plus side, fog can make for really dramatic photos!
Sometimes the fog in Nuuk can mean flight delays due to low visibility. The fog can also lift and lower very quickly, and the air traffic in Greenland is accustomed to reacting quickly to these changes.
If anyone should describe East Greenland by a weather style, one might call it gusty. Its proximity to the Greenland Ice Sheet impacts the lifestyle of its residents with icy force. It was isolated in the past due to the incredible amount of choking pack ice found in the fjords and surrounding ocean. Powerfully cold katabatic wind systems called “piteraq”, which can gust suddenly up from complete calmness to 324 km/h from the Greenland ice sheet also demanded a spirit of survival.
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
TASIILAQ | -5.8 | -6 | -5.9 | -2.3 | 1.4 | 4.9 | 7.2 | 7 | 4.3 | 0.2 | -2.8 | -4.9 |
ITTOQQORTOORMIIT | -12.7 | -12.7 | -14.1 | -9.2 | -2.4 | 2.6 | 5.7 | 5.2 | 1.1 | -5.4 | -10.1 | -12.9 |
Tasiilaq, the capital of East Greenland, experiences low temperatures all year around, with a mean of – 5.7°C (21.9° F) during winter and rising to a mean of 6.3°C (43.3° F) in the summer. It is slightly cooler than the entry to the East, Kulusuk (where the international airport is situated), because the capital lies close to the Greenland Ice Sheet. Snow covered for much of the year, it has an average annual precipitation of around 915.1mm (36 inches).
Ittoqqortoormiit, which lies 5 degrees north of Tasiilaq, has a cooler and drier climate with a means of 4.8°C (40.6°F) in the summer and -12.8°C (8.9°F) in the winter. There is 445.4mm (17.5 inches). May and June are the driest months and January and September the wettest. Ittoqqortoormiit experiences midnight sun and polar darkness. The month of December has no daylight or sunshine hours, whereas June there is midnight sun.
East Greenland has a relatively long history with climate testing. The first weather station in Greenland was put up in North East Greenland near Danmarkshavn, 77°N, by meteorologist Alfred Wegener in 1906. He had travelled to Greenland on the Danmark expedition (1906-1908) led by Ludvig Mylius-Erichsen. He launched kites and balloons to make meteorological measurements.
Don’t get baffled if your itinerary changes multiple times during a planned trip due to the weather. East Greenlanders are masters at changing plans and adapting quickly to new conditions and you should be too.
The piteraq can sweep down the East coast where there are several fjords and its dangerous, sudden wind speeds means that you should find shelter immediately. In the local language “piteraq” means “That which attacks you”. This phenomenon is most common in the autumn and winter.
Famous for its clear and calm weather, North Greenland and Disko Bay span a very big distance reaching all the way from Aasiaat to Qaanaaq. The sun shines twenty-four hours a day in a short but intense summertime in the northern latitudes of Greenland*. Conversely, there are months where the sun does not rise during the winter and the locals live by the light of the moon and northern lights.
The ice-cover is almost uninterrupted in the Baffin Bay, which makes winters in North Greenland more stable but colder than further south. The winter can go as low as -40° C . The warmer temperatures melt the snow from July to September, although passing cyclones can still trigger the occasional snowstorm during this time.
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC | |
AASIAAT | -12 | -15.0 | -14.5 | -7.8 | -0.9 | 3.9 | 6.8 | 6.1 | 3.0 | -1.4 | -5.2 | -7.8 |
ILULISSAT | -12.5 | -14.7 | -14.6 | -7.2 | 0.2 | 5.7 | 8.3 | 6.7 | 2.7 | -2.9 | -7 | -9.4 |
UPERNAVIK | -16.6 | -19.2 | -18.9 | -11.7 | -3.3 | 3 | 6.5 | 5.7 | 1.4 | -3.4 | -7.6 | -11.5 |
QAANAAQ | -23.9 | -24.6 | -23.7 | -15.3 | -4.3 | 2.8 | 6.1 | 4.5 | -1.5 | -8.6 | -14.3 | -20.1 |
Aasiaat, the capital of Disko Bay, and Ilulissat, the capital of North Greenland, have typical weather conditions of a coastal area, and is typically ice-free from mid May to mid December. Aasiaat has on average 80.1 precipitation days, and 299mm (11.7 inches) of precipitation is accumulated. Ilulissat experiences low temperatures all year around, with a mean of – 12.3°C (7.88° F) during winter and rising to a mean of 6.9°C (42.8° F) in the summer. The winter has risen by nearly 1 degree, as between 1981-2010 the coldest mean temperature was 13.4 degrees. Considering the proximity of the Greenland Ice Sheet and the world’s most active glacier, Sermeq Kujalleq, the climate is not particularly cold. However, when out sailing in the Ilulissat Icefjord it is advisable to wear a warm jacket as you will feel the cool among the icebergs!
Qaanaaq has very low temperatures overall, averaging -10.2°C (151.6°F). It has a mean temperature of 4.5°C (113°F) in the summer, and -22.9°C (444.2°F) in the winter. It experiences 149.4 mm of precipitation annually over 83.8 days. Here the land looks bare but it is still tundra climate. The midnight sun shines from late April to mid August, while there is polar darkness for about 4 months of the year from mid November to mid February. It is only possible to sail to Qaanaaq from July to September.
According to DMI, the duration of midnight sun and polar night periods in the most northern part of Greenland at Cape Morris Jesup is 154 days and 143 days respectively.
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.
The mosquitoes in summertime! Most of Greenland does experience a mosquito awakening during the melting period. You would benefit from bringing appropriate gear like a mosquito net over your head and repellant, wearing thin windproof layers, and reading these tips.
What’s the weather like in Greenland?
The average temperatures in Greenland do not exceed a mean of 5.6°C (42 °F) in the warmest summer months but can plunge down to a mean of -18°C (-4° F) in the north during winter. The southern part of Greenland can experience warmer summer months with temperatures of more than 20° C (68° F) and milder winters.
Greenland is covered in its white coat around 8 months of the year from around September to late May and in summer the rain replaces the snow giving life to all the flowers. Something you should always remember though when planning your trip is that it’s hard to predict the weather in Greenland and the weather can shift with no notice.
Does it ever get warm in Greenland?
Yes it can get warm in Greenland. In the southern part of the country and the innermost parts of the long fjords, the temperature can rise to more than 20° C (68° F) in June, July and August. While these temperatures may sound low, you should be aware that the weather feels warmer than the number suggests due to the low humidity in most parts of Greenland.
Why is Greenland so cold?
Greenland is located very northerly where the Atlantic meets the Arctic ocean.
This location means that Greenland is mainly surrounded by cold ocean currents, which constantly cool the Greenlandic coasts.
Why is northern Europe’s climate warmer than that of land at similar latitudes, such as Greenland?
The reason for this is primarily the Gulf stream which carries warmth from the Gulf of Mexico to shores of Western and northern Europe.
What is the climate of Greenland?
The climate of Greenland’s inhabited regions is split up into Cold desert climate, Boreal forest climate and Polar tundra climate.
Does it rain on the Greenland ice sheet?
In the late summer of 2021, rainfall has been recorded for the first time at the highest point of the Greenland ice sheet.
What’s the weather like in Summer in Greenland?
The average temperatures in Greenland do not exceed a mean of 5.6°C (42 °F) in the warmest summer months. In the southern part of the country and the innermost parts of the long fjords, the temperature can, however, rise to more than 20° C (68° F) in June, July and August. During summer, there is no more than 2°C (3.6°F) difference from the northernmost to southernmost part of Greenland.
During the short but intense summer months, the snow is replaced by rain and Greenland generally experiences low humidity.
Editors