When to go · Dawson City
Dawson City in December
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Mar (deep cold, many services closed).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- −19°C (−2°F)−2°F (−19°C) / −27°C (−17°F)−17°F (−27°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 20
- Crowds
- Medium
- Canada overall
- Prices
- High
- Canada overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Mar (deep cold, many services closed).
Is another month better than December?
December is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside Dawson City's best window: Jun–Aug (long days, everything open).
- JulyGreatInside Dawson City's best window: Jun–Aug (long days, everything open).
- AugustGreatInside Dawson City's best window: Jun–Aug (long days, everything open).
- MayGoodOutside the best window (Jun–Aug (long days, everything open)). Across Canada: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
Weather in December
- Dawson CityHighs around -18.8 °C (−2 °F), lows around -27.1 °C (−17 °F), rain on about 20 daysHighs around −2 °F (-18.8 °C), lows around −17 °F (-27.1 °C), rain on about 20 days
- The North, Canada · Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Dawson City, Iqaluitcool
Midnight sun in June–July; northern lights and −30 °C (−22 °F) from about November to March.Midnight sun in June–July; northern lights and −22 °F (−30 °C) from about November to March.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Christmas and Boxing Day big impact
25–26 Dec · Canada
Most businesses closed on the 25th; Boxing Day sales.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Canada overall
- Medium
- Prices · Canada overall
- High
Canada overall: Christmas markets and ski openings; winter tyres required on many BC highways.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Dawson City, side by side.
Verdict
Dec: Avoid
Jun: Great (better)
Daytime high
Dec: -18.8 °C (−2 °F)−2 °F (-18.8 °C)
Jun: 22.1 °C (72 °F)72 °F (22.1 °C)
Night low
Dec: -27.1 °C (−17 °F)−17 °F (-27.1 °C)
Jun: 6.7 °C (44 °F)44 °F (6.7 °C)
Rain days
Dec: 20 (better)
Jun: 44
Crowds
Dec: Medium
Jun: Medium
Prices
Dec: High
Jun: Medium
Festivals listed
Dec: 1
Jun: 1
December: Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Mar (deep cold, many services closed).
June: Inside Dawson City's best window: Jun–Aug (long days, everything open).
Dawson City: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket