Climate Insights for Yellowknife
Northwest Territories, Canada
Climate Overview
The climate in Yellowknife is cold. The average annual temperature is -3°C and approximately 270 mm of precipitation falls per year. August is the wettest month, receiving around 42 mm of rainfall. Yellowknife 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 -28°C. Snowfall occurs from January to December, with around 95cm accumulating over the season.The climate in Yellowknife is cold. The average annual temperature is 26°F and approximately 10.6 in of precipitation falls per year. August is the wettest month, receiving around 1.6 in of rainfall. Yellowknife 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 -18°F. Snowfall occurs from January to December, with around 38in accumulating over the season.
Temperature
Yellowknife has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 50°C from the coldest to warmest months. July is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 22°C with a mean of 17°C. February brings the harshest conditions, with lows dropping to -28°C and an average temperature of -24°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 8°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 13°C shift in average temperatures.Yellowknife has a wide annual temperature range, spanning 90°F from the coldest to warmest months. July is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 72°F with a mean of 63°F. February brings the harshest conditions, with lows dropping to -18°F and an average temperature of -12°F. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 14°F between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between April and May, with a 23°F shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Yellowknife is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 270 mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 23 mm per month. The wettest month is August, averaging 42 mm of rainfall. July and June also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is February, with just 10 mm. That's 32 mm less than August, the wettest month. Precipitation varies noticeably between seasons, with the second half (July to December) of the year generally seeing more rainfall. Snowfall is a regular feature from January to December, with around 95cm accumulating over the season. November typically sees the most snow at around 21cm.Yellowknife is a quite dry location, receiving approximately 10.6 in of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 0.9 in per month. The wettest month is August, averaging 1.7 in of rainfall. July and June also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is February, with just 0.4 in. That's 1.3 in less than August, the wettest month. Precipitation varies noticeably between seasons, with the second half (July to December) of the year generally seeing more rainfall. Snowfall is a regular feature from January to December, with around 38in accumulating over the season. November typically sees the most snow at around 8in.
Wind
Yellowknife is mildly breezy, with an average annual wind speed of 13km/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 14km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in February, with average winds dropping to 12km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 2km/h between the calmest and windiest months.Yellowknife is moderately windy, with an average annual wind speed of 8mph. For context, sustained winds below 7mph are generally light, while anything above 16mph is considered strong. The windiest month is September, averaging 9mph, noticeable enough to affect lighter outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in February, with average winds dropping to 7mph, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. Wind conditions are fairly consistent throughout the year, varying by only 2mph between the calmest and windiest months.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Yellowknife 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 41 mm per month. By contrast, February can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to -28°C. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.The best time to visit Yellowknife is during July and August, when the weather is most comfortable for travellers. During these months, average temperatures hover around 62°F with modest rainfall averaging 1.6 in per month. By contrast, February can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to -18°F. A light rain jacket is recommended, though showers are generally brief and shouldn't disrupt your plans.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Yellowknife 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.The table below shows monthly climate averages for Yellowknife based on historical weather data. Min and max temperatures represent typical overnight lows and afternoon highs for each month, shown in degrees Fahrenheit (°F). Precipitation is measured in millimetres (mm) and indicates the average total rainfall per month. Snow is measured in inches (in) and reflects average monthly snowfall accumulation. Wind speed is the average sustained speed in miles per hour (mph). All values are based on averages from over 10 years of historical weather data. The current month is highlighted for quick reference.