Greenland in January

Dark and cold; sun returns to Ilulissat in mid-January. Northern lights in Kangerlussuaq.

January is rated mixed. These months rate higher:

• JuneGreatMidnight sun north of the Arctic Circle; National Day on 21 June; boat season starts.
• JulyGreatPeak: boats, whales, hiking; hotels full; mosquitoes and blackflies.
• AugustGreatStable weather, whales in Disko Bay, the first dark nights return.
• MarchGoodBest winter month: light, snow, sledding and northern lights; the Arctic Circle Race in Sisimiut (check).

• Nuuk and the southwest coast · Nuuk, Maniitsoq, Paamiutcool

  Maritime: winters around −8 °C (18 °F), summers 5–10 °C (41–50 °F); fog and wind can ground flights any time.Maritime: winters around 18 °F (−8 °C), summers 41–50 °F (5–10 °C); fog and wind can ground flights any time.

• Disko Bay · Ilulissat, Qeqertarsuaq, Aasiaatcool

  North of the Arctic Circle: midnight sun late May to late July, polar night in December; March–April for sledding with light.

• Kangerlussuaq and the inland · Kangerlussuaq, Sisimiut hinterlandcool

  Dry continental climate: −30 °C (−22 °F) in winter, clear skies for northern lights, 15–20 °C (59–68 °F) on summer days; mosquitoes in July.Dry continental climate: −22 °F (−30 °C) in winter, clear skies for northern lights, 59–68 °F (15–20 °C) on summer days; mosquitoes in July.

• South Greenland · Narsarsuaq, Qaqortoq, Narsaq, Nanortalikcool

  The mildest and greenest region; sheep farms and Norse ruins; föhn winds can be violent.

• East Greenland · Tasiilaq, Ittoqqortoormiitcool

  Sea ice can block the coast into July; polar bears; reached via Iceland.

• Nuuk-3 °C (27 °F) / -9 °C (16 °F), 10 rain days27 °F (-3 °C) / 16 °F (-9 °C), 10 rain days
• Aasiaat-2 °C (28 °F) / -15 °C (5 °F), 5 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 5 °F (-15 °C), 5 rain days
• Igaliku-2 °C (28 °F) / -15 °C (5 °F), 5 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 5 °F (-15 °C), 5 rain days
• Ilulissat-13 °C (9 °F) / -20 °C (−4 °F), 8 rain days9 °F (-13 °C) / −4 °F (-20 °C), 8 rain days
• Ittoqqortoormiit-8 °C (18 °F) / -16 °C (3 °F), 8 rain days18 °F (-8 °C) / 3 °F (-16 °C), 8 rain days
• Kangerlussuaq-5 °C (23 °F) / -20 °C (−4 °F), 5 rain days23 °F (-5 °C) / −4 °F (-20 °C), 5 rain days
• Kulusuk-5 °C (23 °F) / -20 °C (−4 °F), 5 rain days23 °F (-5 °C) / −4 °F (-20 °C), 5 rain days
• Nanortalik-2 °C (28 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 5 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 5 rain days
• Narsaq-2 °C (28 °F) / -9 °C (16 °F), 8 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 16 °F (-9 °C), 8 rain days
• Narsarsuaq-5 °C (23 °F) / -15 °C (5 °F), 5 rain days23 °F (-5 °C) / 5 °F (-15 °C), 5 rain days
• Oqaatsut-5 °C (23 °F) / -15 °C (5 °F), 5 rain days23 °F (-5 °C) / 5 °F (-15 °C), 5 rain days
• Qaanaaq-30 °C (−22 °F) / -40 °C (−40 °F), 0 rain days−22 °F (-30 °C) / −40 °F (-40 °C), 0 rain days
• Qaqortoq-2 °C (28 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 5 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 5 rain days
• Qasigiannguit-8 °C (18 °F) / -16 °C (3 °F), 8 rain days18 °F (-8 °C) / 3 °F (-16 °C), 8 rain days
• Qassiarsuk-2 °C (28 °F) / -10 °C (14 °F), 8 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 14 °F (-10 °C), 8 rain days
• Sisimiut-2 °C (28 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 5 rain days28 °F (-2 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 5 rain days
• Tasiilaq-4 °C (25 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 10 rain days25 °F (-4 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 10 rain days
• Upernavik-5 °C (23 °F) / -15 °C (5 °F), 5 rain days23 °F (-5 °C) / 5 °F (-15 °C), 5 rain days
• Uummannaq-5 °C (23 °F) / -15 °C (5 °F), 5 rain days23 °F (-5 °C) / 5 °F (-15 °C), 5 rain days

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.

• New Year

  1 Jan

  Fireworks; closures.

• Return of the sun (Ilulissat and the north)

  Mid-January (varies by town)

  Local celebrations when the sun first rises after the polar night.

• Winter and northern lights

  Sep–Mar · Nuuk

  Cold nights, aurora tours and few crowds.

• Northern lights season

  Sep–Mar · Nuuk

  Evening tours sell out on clear nights.

• Short days and dark

  Nov–Feb · Nuuk

  Fewer tours and shorter museum hours; northern lights on clear nights.

Crowds · Greenland

Low

Prices · Greenland

Low

Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Greenland, side by side.

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket

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Rated best or good this month

• Aasiaat

  Best months: Jun–Aug (festivals, milder weather) and Sep–Feb for Northern Lights