Nunavut
General Information, Travel Time, and Climate
To truly unlock the secrets of the best time to visit Nunavut, one must first grasp the sheer scale of this Arctic realm. Imagine a land of two million square kilometers, a vast, untamed expanse that’s home to fewer than 40,000 souls. This is Nunavut, Canada’s largest territory and its most sparsely populated region—a place where, theoretically, you might find just 0.02 inhabitants per square kilometer.
Understanding this climatic diversity is not just a matter of practical planning; it’s the key to experiencing Nunavut’s true essence. It’s about knowing when the midnight sun paints the skies in perpetual daylight, and when the Northern Lights dance across the frigid, starlit nights. It’s about timing your journey to witness the migration of Arctic wildlife, or to explore the ancient cultures that have thrived in this challenging environment for millennia.
But this vastness is not merely a geographical fact; it’s a climatic reality. Nunavut’s weather is as diverse as its landscapes, shifting dramatically from region to region. From the windswept tundra to the icy shores of the Arctic Ocean, each area presents its own unique challenges and wonders.
Whether you seek the thrill of polar adventures or the serenity of remote wilderness, choosing the best time to travel to Nunavut will transform your experience from a simple visit into an unforgettable Arctic odyssey.
The Arctic is, on average, much colder than most populated regions of the world. The more southern continental areas have a very cold subarctic climate. The extreme climate of the region, makes it very important to understand the best times to visit.
Nunavut Average Temperature (°C)
Iqaluit (formerly Frobisher Bay), the capital of Nunavut, is located on the east coast of Baffin Island, one of the world’s largest islands. With a population of about 8,000, Iqaluit is the seat of government and an important transportation hub for the territory. Iqaluit, Nunavut. | Image: © Jef King / AdobeStock
Nunavut is considered Canada’s coldest region. For nearly eight months of the year, cold air from the Arctic Ocean prevails. However, even in the remaining months, sudden temperature drops and chilling winds are common. It is vital for visitors to be prepared for the harsh weather conditions that are possible at all times of the year.
The natural adventure of a Floe Edge Arctic Safari in June in Sirmilik National Park. Sirmilik means “place of glaciers” in the Inuktitut language. Located at the northern tip of Baffin Island and near the famous Northwest Passage, Sirmilik is part of the “High Arctic Experience.” Sirmilik National Park, Nunavut. | Image: © Colin / AdobeStock
Eighty-five percent of the population are Inuit. Therefore, the territory’s name is particularly fitting: Nunavut means “Our Land” in Inuktitut. The Inuit have a unique connection to the land, a traditional knowledge passed down through generations. They say Nunavut experiences five seasons, corresponding to the growth of the wildlife and plants they share the land with. Each region in Nunavut has its own seasonal calendar. This deep understanding of what grows and which wildlife are abundant each month is preserved and passed on by the Inuit. This unique understanding of the seasons, is a very important part of the local culture.
Baffin Island, with its 507,000 square kilometers, is Canada’s largest island and the fifth-largest in the world. Mount Odin in Auyuittuq National Park, at 2,147 meters, is the island’s highest peak. Baffin Island Mountains, Nunavut. | Image: © Max Forgues / Shutterstock
Weather and temperatures in Nunavut vary significantly depending on the season and location. Kugluktuk has Nunavut’s warmest average temperatures, reaching 30°C in summer and dropping to -15 to -40°C in winter. Winters can be very harsh, with polar nights leading to temperatures around -50°C. Average January temperatures in Nunavut are below -20°C. Grise Fiord is Nunavut’s coldest community, with summer temperatures sometimes barely above freezing (5°C) and winter temperatures often reaching -50°C. Pond Inlet has an average winter temperature of -32°C, and Iqaluit -27°C. The temperature changes, can be very extreme, so this should be taken into account when planing a trip.
The shipwreck of the “Maud,” named after Queen Maud of Norway, was a landmark in Cambridge Bay for nearly 100 years. It was Roald Amundsen’s ship for his 1918 Arctic expedition. Due to financial difficulties, he sold it to the Hudson Bay Company, which used it as a floating warehouse before it sank in 1930. In 2017/2018, after years of planning, the wreck was spectacularly returned to Norway. Cambridge Bay, Nunavut. | Image: © Sophia Granchinho / Shutterstock
Wind chill significantly affects how cold temperatures feel. Strong winds rapidly remove body heat from people and animals. This wind-induced cooling effect, which feels much colder than the measured temperature, is known as wind chill. For example, -12°C with a 40 km/h wind feels like -34°C, leading to severe frostbite risks. The wind, is a very important factor, when considering the average temperatures.
Nunavut is accessible by plane or ship. Expedition ship travel is increasingly popular. Sam Ford Fjord, Baffin Island, Nunavut. | Image: © Tetyana Dotsenko / Shutterstock
Spring temperatures are more uniform, with average daily highs between -20°C and -10°C. Nunavut’s cool spring days are sunny. From late March to late May, snow and ice-reflected sunlight can cause severe sunburn, so sunscreen is recommended, even if it feels cold. During the transition from April to mid-June, increased sunlight is mostly reflected by snow, delaying warming. Ground warmth increases only after snowmelt or sublimation. The suns rays, are very powerful in the spring months.
The Arctic Inuit community of Pond Inlet, in Nunavut’s Qikiqtaaluk Region, is one of the gateways to Sirmilik National Park, along with Arctic Bay. Pond Inlet’s airport receives flights from Montreal, Ottawa, and Yellowknife via Iqaluit. Pond Inlet im August 2019 | Bild: © Tetyana Dotsenko / Shutterstock
During the short summer from mid-June to August, ground temperatures rise above freezing. Average July temperatures exceed +10°C only in southern Nunavut. Nunavut has exceptionally low precipitation, with only 200 mm or less annually in the High Arctic, known as a “polar desert.” Other areas rarely exceed 400 mm, except around Iqaluit on Baffin Island, which gets about 600 mm. The Kivalliq region gets about 750 mm of snow in winter, while parts of Baffin Island get up to 2,000 mm. Despite low precipitation, Nunavut and the Northwest Territories hold about nine percent of Earth’s freshwater reserves.
Snow-covered Inuksuk (or Inukshuk) on a hill near Rankin Inlet. These stone figures traditionally mean “someone was here” or “you are on the right path.” Inukshuks were likely used for navigation, landmarks, hunting markers, food caches, or a combination. Today, they are a symbol of Inuit culture across Canada. An Inuksuk was also the logo for the 2010 Vancouver and Whistler Winter Olympics, named Ilaanaq, the Inuktitut word for “friend.” Rankin Inlet, Nunavut. | Image: © Sophia Granchinho / Shutterstock
Winter visitors to Nunavut should prepare for very short days. In Iqaluit, the sun rises and sets within four hours on the shortest day. Winter days shorten further north, with communities beyond the Arctic Circle experiencing prolonged periods without sunlight, though the southern horizon may brighten slightly at midday. The winter months have extremely short days, and this has to be taken into account when planing a trip.
A stop sign in Nunavut’s capital in three languages: Inuktitut, English, and French. In Nunavut, Inuinnaqtun and various Inuit dialects are also spoken. Iqaluit | Image: © Carson Baker / Shutterstock
Conversely, at the summer solstice, the sun shines for 21 hours in Iqaluit, with twilight around midnight. North of the Arctic Circle, days have 24 hours of sunlight, with the midnight sun shining brightly. Depending on the community, the sun never fully sets for up to four months. The summer months, have very long days, and this has to be taken into account, when planing a trip.
Best time to visit Nunavut: Summary
- March and April are ideal for Arctic winter experiences, such as snowmobiling or dog sledding across the still-frozen tundra or Arctic Ocean.
- May and June, though considered shoulder season, are popular for floe edge Arctic safaris to observe narwhals, belugas, and polar bears. During the ice melt from late June to mid-July, some areas may be inaccessible.
- July and August, with their comparatively warmer temperatures, are a popular travel time, perfect for tundra hiking. The days are long, it’s mostly sunny, and wildflowers bloom – but mosquitoes are also prevalent!
- September is also enjoyed by nature enthusiasts for hiking, kayaking, and camping in still-accessible national parks, appreciating the tundra vegetation’s beautiful colors. Later, as it gets colder and darker, the chances of seeing the Northern Lights increase.
- Winter visitors should prepare for extremely cold temperatures and short days.
The cold winter months from November onwards are generally not recommended due to the harsh climate!
