Climate Overview
The climate in Qaqortoq is cold. The average annual temperature is 0°C and approximately 1044mm of precipitation falls per year. Qaqortoq receives a notable amount of rainfall throughout the year, including during its driest month. Qaqortoq 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 -10°C. Qaqortoq experiences heavy snowfall, typically from January through December.
Temperature
Qaqortoq sees moderate temperature variation throughout the year, ranging from -10°C to 10°C. July is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 10°C with a mean of 8°C. The coldest month is February, when overnight lows fall to -10°C and the daily average is -8°C. Daily temperature variation is modest, with an average difference of 5°C between highs and lows. The sharpest temperature change occurs between October and November, with a 5°C shift in average temperatures.
Precipitation
Qaqortoq is a moderately rainy area, receiving approximately 1044mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 87mm per month. The wettest month is September, averaging 131mm of rainfall. November and August also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is April, with just 56mm. That's 74mm less than September, the wettest month. Rainfall is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year, so there is no pronounced dry or wet season to plan around. Qaqortoq receives heavy snowfall, accumulating around 424cm annually from January through December. The snowiest month is January, with approximately 78cm. Winter travel should account for significant snow cover.
Wind
Qaqortoq is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 10km/h. For context, sustained winds below 12km/h are generally light, while anything above 25km/h is considered strong. The windiest month is February, averaging 13km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in October, with average winds dropping to 8km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 5km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months. Wind tends to be stronger during winter months, driven by seasonal pressure systems. The seasonal averages break down to 12km/h in winter, 9km/h in spring, 9km/h in summer, 9km/h in autumn.
Seasons
87 days until Winter
It is currently autumn in Qaqortoq, which began on September 23, 2026. Qaqortoq 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 10°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in February near -10°C. Winter is next, beginning on December 21, 2026 (87 days from now).
Spring
Temperatures range from -7 to 5°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 185mm for the season, averaging 62mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 9km/h. Light layers work well as temperatures warm through the season. It is a great time to be outdoors.
Summer
Temperatures range from 4 to 10°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 293mm for the season, averaging 98mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 9km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.
Autumn
Temperatures range from -6 to 8°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 320mm across the season with a monthly average of 107mm. Expect around 98cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 9km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from -10 to -3°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 247mm for the season, averaging 82mm per month. Expect around 207cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 12km/h. Heavy layering and insulated outerwear are essential. Exposed skin should be minimised outdoors.
Monthly Climate Data
The table below shows monthly climate averages for Qaqortoq 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.