Yellowknife (NT) Weather & Climate: Best Time to Visit

The climate in Yellowknife is known for significant temperature differences throughout the year, making the weather dynamic. Average daytime temperatures reach a pleasant 21°C (70°F) in July. In January, the coolest month of the year, temperatures drop to a very cold -21°C (-6°F).

At night, temperatures range from around 13°C (55°F) in July to -28°C (-18°F) in January.

Check out our detailed temperature page for more information.

Temperature ranges by month

With annual rain/snowfall averaging 317 mm (12 in), Yellowknife maintains relatively low precipitation levels throughout the seasons. Yellowknife can be quite wet during August, receiving approximately 51 mm (2 in) of precipitation over 10 rainy days.

In contrast, during the driest month (February), you will experience much drier conditions, with 12 mm (0.5 in) of precipitation spread across 9 snowy days. For more details, please visit our Yellowknife Precipitation page.

The mean monthly precipitation over the year, including rain, hail, and snow

The average number of days each month with precipitation

Yellowknife can be enjoyed more throughout the sunniest month of June under a blue sky, with approximately 12.4 hours of sunshine daily. In contrast, the city experiences much darker days in December, with only 0.8 hours of sunlight per day.

Visit our detailed sunshine hours page for more information.

Monthly hours of sunshine

Daily hours of sunshine

Daily percentage of sunshine

The relative humidity is moderate throughout the year in Yellowknife.

The city experiences its highest humidity in November, reaching 78%. In May, the humidity drops to its lowest level at 45%. What does this mean? Read our detailed page on humidity levels for further details.

Relative humidity over the year