Season by season
Late winter (March–April). Long sunny days on firm snow and sea ice. Dog sledding, ski touring and northern lights. Flights are few and very cold snaps are possible.
Break-up (May–June). Sea ice and snow melt unevenly; neither boats nor sleds are reliable. Few visitors.
Summer (July–August). Hiking, kayaking and boat trips around Tasiilaq from July; Scoresby Sund opens to ships from about mid-August. Ittoqqortoormiit has midnight sun until late July.
Early autumn (September). The prime cruise month: tundra in red and gold, dark nights with aurora and the least ice. By October the season is over.
Month-by-month
| Month | Avg. high | Avg. low | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -4°C / 25°F | -11°C / 12°F | Quiet |
| February | -4°C / 25°F | -11°C / 12°F | Quiet |
| March | -4°C / 25°F | -12°C / 10°F | Moderate |
| April | 0°C / 32°F | -7°C / 19°F | Moderate |
| May | 4°C / 39°F | -2°C / 28°F | Quiet |
| June | 8°C / 46°F | 1°C / 34°F | Moderate |
| July | 10°C / 50°F | 3°C / 37°F | Peak |
| August | 10°C / 50°F | 3°C / 37°F | Peak |
| September | 6°C / 43°F | 0°C / 32°F | Busy |
| October | 2°C / 36°F | -4°C / 25°F | Quiet |
| November | -1°C / 30°F | -7°C / 19°F | Quiet |
| December | -3°C / 27°F | -9°C / 16°F | Quiet |
Figures for: Tasiilaq (Ittoqqortoormiit is several degrees colder). Temperatures are rounded long-term averages for the place named above; real days vary widely, and wind makes it feel much colder. Crowd levels are our own estimate.
Events & festivals
- March–April: Dog-sledding season and local races
- 21 June: Greenland’s National Day in every settlement
- July–August: The year’s supply ships reach the east coast when the ice allows
- Mid-August–September: Expedition-cruise season in Scoresby Sund
- September: First strong northern lights of the season
