The best times to visit Iqaluit for ideal weather are
October 15th to May 27th
or
October 15th to December 16th
based on average temperature and humidity from NOAA (the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration). Read below for more weather and travel details.
Iqaluit Travel Guide
Other Iqaluit Travel Info
Weather in Iqaluit
Temperature
Average temperatures in Iqaluit vary an incredible amount. Considering humidity, temperatures feel cold all year with a low chance of precipitation most of the year. The area is less temperate than some — in the 25th percentile for pleasant weather — compared to tourist destinations worldwide. Weeks with ideal weather are listed above. If you’re looking for the very warmest time to visit Iqaluit, the hottest months are July, August, and then June. See average monthly temperatures below. The warmest time of year is generally mid July where highs are regularly around 57.9°F (14.4°C) with temperatures rarely dropping below 40.7°F (4.8°C) at night.
Iqaluit Temperatures (Fahrenheit)
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Iqaluit Temperatures (Celsius)
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“Feels-Like” Temperatures
The way we experience weather isn’t all about temperature. Higher temperatures affect us much more at higher humidity, and colder temperatures feel piercing with high winds. Our perceived temperatures factor in humidity and wind chill to better represent how hot or cold the day feels to a person.
Iqaluit Perceived Temperature (F)
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Iqaluit Perceived Temperature (C)
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Average Iqaluit Temperatures by Month
Daily highs (averaged for the month) usually give the best indication of the weather. A significantly lower mean and low generally just means it gets colder at night.
Show Fahrenheit
| Month | Avg. High (°F) | Avg. Mean (°F) | Avg. Low (°F) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -4 | -11.2 | -18.1 |
| Feb | -4.5 | -12.7 | -20.7 |
| Mar | 1.6 | -7.8 | -16.4 |
| Apr | 17 | 8.5 | -1.3 |
| May | 32.2 | 26.3 | 20.1 |
| Jun | 45.1 | 38.5 | 33 |
| Jul | 55 | 46.5 | 39.7 |
| Aug | 53.2 | 45.3 | 38.9 |
| Sep | 43.8 | 37.4 | 32 |
| Oct | 32.3 | 26.5 | 20.5 |
| Nov | 19.6 | 12.9 | 5.7 |
| Dec | 6.3 | -1.5 | -9.3 |
Show Celsius
| Month | Avg. High (°C) | Avg. Mean (°C) | Avg. Low (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | -20 | -24 | -27.8 |
| Feb | -20.3 | -24.8 | -29.3 |
| Mar | -16.9 | -22.1 | -26.9 |
| Apr | -8.3 | -13.1 | -18.5 |
| May | 0.1 | -3.2 | -6.6 |
| Jun | 7.3 | 3.6 | 0.6 |
| Jul | 12.8 | 8.1 | 4.3 |
| Aug | 11.8 | 7.4 | 3.8 |
| Sep | 6.6 | 3 | 0 |
| Oct | 0.2 | -3.1 | -6.4 |
| Nov | -6.9 | -10.6 | -14.6 |
| Dec | -14.3 | -18.6 | -22.9 |
Precipitation (Rain or Snow)
If dry weather is what you’re after, the months with the lowest chance of significant precipitation in Iqaluit are December, April, and then January. Note that we define “significant precipitation” as .1 inches or more in this section. The lowest chance of rain or snow occurs around early December. For example, on the week of December 3rd there are no days of precipitation on average. By contrast, it’s most likely to rain or snow in early July with an average of 3 days of significant precipitation the week of July 2nd.
When can you find snow in Iqaluit? Weather stations report very large amounts of snow likely to be deepest around April, especially close to early May. The best time to ski (if at all) in Iqaluit is often around around April 9th when fresh powder is deepest. Please note that a value of 0 for snow in the graph below may either mean there was no snow, or that snow is unreported.
Chance of Precipitation
The graph below shows the % chance of rainy and snowy days in Iqaluit.
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Snow on the Ground
The graph below shows the average snow on the ground in Iqaluit (in).
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Average Rain and Snow by Month
Show Inches
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (in) | Total Precipitation (in) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4% | 5.8 | 0.5 |
| Feb | 10% | 6.5 | 0.9 |
| Mar | 10% | 7.6 | 1.2 |
| Apr | 3% | 9.3 | 0.4 |
| May | 6% | 8.9 | 0.9 |
| Jun | 17% | 4.4 | 1.8 |
| Jul | 23% | 1 | 2 |
| Aug | 19% | 0.8 | 2.3 |
| Sep | 16% | 0.8 | 1.6 |
| Oct | 9% | 2 | 1.1 |
| Nov | 4% | 2.8 | 0.9 |
| Dec | 1% | 5.4 | 0.3 |
Show Centimeters
| Month | Daily Chance of Rain | Average Snow Depth (cm) | Total Precipitation (cm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4 | 14.7 | 1.3 |
| Feb | 10 | 16.5 | 2.3 |
| Mar | 10 | 19.3 | 3 |
| Apr | 3 | 23.6 | 1 |
| May | 6 | 22.6 | 2.3 |
| Jun | 17 | 11.2 | 4.6 |
| Jul | 23 | 2.5 | 5.1 |
| Aug | 19 | 2 | 5.8 |
| Sep | 16 | 2 | 4.1 |
| Oct | 9 | 5.1 | 2.8 |
| Nov | 4 | 7.1 | 2.3 |
| Dec | 1 | 13.7 | 0.8 |
Humidity and Wind
Iqaluit has some extremely humid months, and above average humidity throughout the year. The least humid month is January (66.5% relative humidity), and the most humid month is August (81%).
Wind in Iqaluit is usually moderate. The windiest month is November, followed by October and January. November’s average wind speed of around 9 knots (10.3 MPH or 16.6 KPH) is considered “a gentle breeze.” Maximum sustained winds (the highest speed for the day lasting more than a few moments) are at their highest in late January where average top sustained speeds reach 17.6 knots, which is considered a fresh breeze.
Relative Humidity (%)
The graph below shows the average % humidity by month in Iqaluit.
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Wind
The graph below shows wind speed (max and average) in knots.
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Average Wind Speeds
Show Wind Speeds
All wind speeds are in knots. 1 knot = 1.15 MPH or 1.85 KPH.
| Month | Avg. Wind | Avg. Wind Feel | Sustained High Wind | High Wind Feel |
| Jan | 8.6 | Gentle breeze | 14.5 | Significant breeze |
| Feb | 7.7 | Gentle breeze | 13.1 | Significant breeze |
| Mar | 8.1 | Gentle breeze | 13.2 | Significant breeze |
| Apr | 7.4 | Gentle breeze | 12.5 | Significant breeze |
| May | 8.4 | Gentle breeze | 13.5 | Significant breeze |
| Jun | 7 | Gentle breeze | 11.5 | Significant breeze |
| Jul | 6 | Light breeze | 10.7 | Significant breeze |
| Aug | 6.7 | Light breeze | 11.6 | Significant breeze |
| Sep | 8 | Gentle breeze | 13.3 | Significant breeze |
| Oct | 8.9 | Gentle breeze | 14.3 | Significant breeze |
| Nov | 9 | Gentle breeze | 15.3 | Significant breeze |
| Dec | 7.9 | Gentle breeze | 13.7 | Significant breeze |
Show Relative Humidity by Month
| Month | Avg. Relative Humidity |
|---|---|
| Jan | 66.5% |
| Feb | 66.7% |
| Mar | 67.2% |
| Apr | 74.7% |
| May | 78.4% |
| Jun | 80.4% |
| Jul | 77.9% |
| Aug | 81% |
| Sep | 78% |
| Oct | 78.6% |
| Nov | 76.2% |
| Dec | 71.1% |
Is it Safe to Travel to Iqaluit?
#N/A
The Busiest and Least Crowded Months
The busiest month for tourism in Iqaluit, NU, Canada is July, followed by August and June. Prices for hotels and flights will be most expensive during these months, though you can save if you purchase well in advance. Tourists are unlikely to visit Iqaluit in December. Those willing to visit at these times will likely find it the least expensive month.
Estimated Tourism by Month
Most Popular Months to Visit
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Overall Iqaluit Travel Experience by Season
Spring (March through May)
Humidity and temperatures combine to make this season feel very cold. Highs range from 37.3°F (2.9°C) and -6.4°F (-21.3°C) with far warmer temperatures in the later months. Rain is rare with 1 to 3 days of significant precipitation per month. Spring is the second busiest for tourism, which makes it a good time for those looking for things to do.
Summer (June through August)
The middle-year months have cold weather with high temperatures that are still jacket weather. These months see the most precipitation with 5 to 7 days of precipitation per month. June – August is the busiest season for tourism in Iqaluit, so lodging and other accommodations may cost more than usual.
Fall (September through November)
Fall daily highs range from 49.7°F (9.8°C) and 12.9°F (-10.6°C), which will feel very chilly given the humidity and wind. It rains or snows a normal amount: 1 to 5 days per month. Tourism is the slowest during these months due to the weather, so hotels may be affordably priced.
Winter (December through February)
Weather is far too cold this time of year in Iqaluit to be enjoyable for warm weather travelers. The average high during this season is between 9.6°F (-12.4°C) and -7.1°F (-21.7°C). On average, it rains or snows a smalll amount: 0 to 3 times per month. These times of year are fairly slow with tourists.
Best Times to Travel› Canada › Iqaluit, NU, Canada