Climate Overview
The climate in Qaqortoq is cold. The average annual temperature is 0°C and approximately 1085mm 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 -11°C. Qaqortoq experiences heavy snowfall, typically from January through December.
Temperature
Temperatures in Qaqortoq vary considerably across the year, with a 23°C difference between the coldest and warmest months. July is the warmest month, though highs remain moderate at 12°C with a mean of 9°C. The coldest month is February, when overnight lows fall to -11°C and the daily average is -9°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 1085mm of precipitation annually, which averages out to around 90mm per month. The wettest month is September, averaging 148mm of rainfall. November and August also tend to see above-average precipitation. The driest month is February, with just 66mm. That's 82mm 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 494cm annually from January through December. The snowiest month is January, with approximately 81cm. Winter travel should account for significant snow cover.
Wind
Qaqortoq is relatively calm, with an average annual wind speed of 2km/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 3km/h, though still comfortable for most outdoor activities. The calmest conditions occur in August, with average winds dropping to 2km/h, making it an ideal period for wind-sensitive activities. There is moderate seasonal variation in wind speed, with a 1km/h gap between the calmest and windiest months.
Seasons
93 days until Autumn
It is currently summer in Qaqortoq, which began on June 21, 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 12°C, while the coldest stretch bottoms out in February near -11°C. Autumn is next, beginning on September 23, 2026 — 93 days from now.
Spring
Temperatures range from -8 to 6°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 222mm for the season, averaging 74mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 2km/h. An umbrella or waterproof jacket is advisable as spring showers are frequent.
Summer
Temperatures range from 5 to 12°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 277mm for the season, averaging 92mm per month. Winds are generally light, averaging 2km/h. Comfortable clothing with a light layer for cooler evenings is all you need.
Autumn
Temperatures range from -7 to 8°C. Rainfall is heavy, totalling around 349mm across the season with a monthly average of 116mm. Expect around 123cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 2km/h. A waterproof jacket and sturdy footwear are recommended as rain becomes more frequent.
Winter
Temperatures range from -11 to -3°C. Precipitation is moderate at around 237mm for the season, averaging 79mm per month. Expect around 213cm of snow accumulation during this period. Winds are generally light, averaging 3km/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.
