Greenland

Greenland Weather & Climate: Monthly Averages

Monthly climate averages for Greenland, temperatures, rainfall and the best time to visit.

Climate overview of Greenland

Greenland is one of the coldest countries in the world and is to a large extent (85%) always covered with ice or snow. The thickness of the ice is approximately 1500 meters (4921 ft). The temperature is almost the whole year below 0°C (32°F). Only at the coast in the summer period, which is short-lived, temperatures sometimes rise above the freezing point.

The warmest period is in July and August, the temperature may rise to about 10°C (50°F) to 12°C (54°F). The sun shines all day in the period from May to July.

There is also a wide variation in the amount of ​​precipitation. In the south there will be year-round snow and in the summer it rains regularly. In the coastal areas in the south there is an average of 2000 mm (79 in) to 2500 mm (98 in) of precipitation in a year. The amount of rainfall is fairly distributed thoughout the year, but in summer there is a bit more precipitation than in winter.

Explore Greenland by month

Popular cities by month

Compare cities per month. Toggle cities on/off.

Ilulissat Narsaq Kulusuk Sisimiut Danmarkshavn Ittoqqortoormiit
Day temperature (°C)
Monthly rainfall (mm)
Monthly sunshine (hours)

Climate map

Average daily temperature, monthly rainfall & sunshine hours across cities.

Avg day temp (°C)
32°

Compare popular cities

Average daytime and nighttime temperatures, yearly rainfall and sunshine.

Ilulissat -13°C (9°F) 14°C (57°F) -21°C (-6°F) 6°C (43°F) 341 mm (13 in)
Narsaq -5°C (23°F) 13°C (55°F) -12°C (10°F) 6°C (43°F) 1193 mm (47 in)
Kulusuk -4°C (25°F) 8°C (46°F) -9°C (16°F) 4°C (39°F) 1426 mm (56 in) 1,383 hours
Sisimiut -13°C (9°F) 10°C (50°F) -18°C (0°F) 5°C (41°F) 655 mm (26 in) 1,547 hours
Danmarkshavn -19°C (-2°F) 5°C (41°F) -25°C (-13°F) 0°C (32°F) 407 mm (16 in) 2,027 hours
Ittoqqortoormiit 2°C (36°F) 12°C (54°F) -2°C (28°F) 9°C (48°F) 997 mm (39 in) 1,623 hours

FAQ

What is the best time to visit Greenland?

The warmest month in Kangerlussuaq is July, with daytime highs of 16°C (61°F). Danmarkshavn is the sunniest destination, with 378 hours of sunshine in July. Greenland has a distinct dry season from September to June. Explore Greenland weather by month for a detailed breakdown.

What temperatures can I expect in Greenland?

Kangerlussuaq is the warmest destination, reaching 16°C (61°F) in July with nights around 7°C (45°F). Nord is the coolest, with March daytime highs of just -25°C (-13°F) and nights dropping to -30°C (-22°F). Temperatures vary significantly between regions and seasons. See the city comparison for a full overview.

How much rain does Greenland get?

Rainfall varies across Greenland. PrChristianSund is the wettest, receiving 2128 mm (84 in) per year, with January the wettest month at 233 mm (9.2 in). Kangerlussuaq is the driest at 303 mm (12 in) per year. In the coldest months, precipitation may fall as snow. Use the climate map to explore rainfall patterns across regions.

How sunny is Greenland?

Danmarkshavn is the sunniest destination in Greenland, enjoying 2,027 hours of sunshine per year, with July the brightest month at 378 hours. Overall, Greenland enjoys abundant sunshine year-round. Compare sunshine across cities in the charts above.

What is the climate like across Greenland?

Ilulissat has mild summers reaching 14°C (57°F) in July and very cold winters dropping to -13°C (9°F), with 0 hours of sunshine and 341 mm (13 in) of rain per year. Narsaq has mild summers reaching 13°C (55°F) in July and very cold winters dropping to -5°C (23°F), with 0 hours of sunshine and 1193 mm (47 in) of rain per year. Kulusuk has cold summers reaching 8°C (46°F) in July and very cold winters dropping to -4°C (25°F), with 1,383 hours of sunshine and 1426 mm (56 in) of rain per year. Explore the climate charts and comparison table for more cities.

Places in Greenland

Select a city to see its average temperature, precipitation and hours of sunshine over the year.

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Travel inspiration

Must-visit destinations and experiences across Greenland.