Climate Insights for Hay River

The climate in Hay River is cold. The average annual temperature is -1°C and approximately 346mm of precipitation falls per year. July is the wettest month, receiving around 70mm of rainfall. Hay River is in the Northern Hemisphere. Summer begins at the end of June and lasts through September. The summer months are: July, August, June. The coldest months are February, January, December, when temperatures can drop to -23°C. Snowfall occurs from January to December, with around 82cm accumulating over the season.

Hay River has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 46°C from the coldest to warmest months. July is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 23°C with a mean of 18°C. February brings the harshest conditions, with lows dropping to -23°C and an average temperature of -20°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 8°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between October and November, with a 11°C shift in average temperatures.

Hay River is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 346mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 29mm per month. The wettest month is July, averaging 70mm of rainfall. August and June also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is February, with just 12mm. That's 59mm less than July, the wettest month. Rainfall is heavily concentrated in certain months, creating a distinct wet and dry season. Visitors should plan around these patterns, as the difference between peak and low months is dramatic. Snowfall is a regular feature from January to December, with around 82cm accumulating over the season. November typically sees the most snow at around 15cm.

Hay River is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 15km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is September, averaging 16km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in January, with average winds dropping to 13km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 3km/h between the calmest and windiest months.

It is currently spring in Hay River, which began on March 20, 2026. Hay River is in the Northern Hemisphere, where spring begins in March, summer in June, autumn in September, and winter in December. The warmest period peaks in July at around 23°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in February near -23°C. Summer is next, beginning on June 21, 2026 — 89 days from now.

The best time to visit Hay River is during July and August, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 17°C with modest rainfall averaging 64mm per month. By contrast, February can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to -23°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.

The table below shows monthly climate averages for Hay River based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Celsius (°C). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in centimetres (cm) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in kilometres per hour (km/h). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.