Greenland in October

Storms and short days; many tours stop.

October 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, Nanortalikfine

  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.

• Nuuk2 °C (36 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 12 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 12 rain days
• Aasiaat5 °C (41 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 7 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 7 rain days
• Igaliku5 °C (41 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 7 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 7 rain days
• Ilulissat-1 °C (30 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 9 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 9 rain days
• Ittoqqortoormiit1 °C (34 °F) / -6 °C (21 °F), 10 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 21 °F (-6 °C), 10 rain days
• Kangerlussuaq4 °C (39 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 7 rain days
• Kulusuk1 °C (34 °F) / -12 °C (10 °F), 6 rain days34 °F (1 °C) / 10 °F (-12 °C), 6 rain days
• Nanortalik5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 6 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 6 rain days
• Narsaq5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Narsarsuaq2 °C (36 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 7 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 7 rain days
• Oqaatsut3 °C (37 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 7 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 7 rain days
• Qaanaaq-5 °C (23 °F) / -15 °C (5 °F), 0 rain days23 °F (-5 °C) / 5 °F (-15 °C), 0 rain days
• Qaqortoq5 °C (41 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 7 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 7 rain days
• Qasigiannguit2 °C (36 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 10 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 10 rain days
• Qassiarsuk5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
• Sisimiut5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 5 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 5 rain days
• Tasiilaq3 °C (37 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 11 rain days37 °F (3 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 11 rain days
• Upernavik0 °C (32 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 7 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 7 rain days
• Uummannaq0 °C (32 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 5 rain days32 °F (0 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °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.

• Autumn colours

  Late August to September · Nuuk

  Berry picking and quieter trails; boats may run less.

• Northern lights season

  Sep–Mar · Nuuk

  Evening tours sell out 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

• Uummannaq

  Best months: May–July (midnight sun); July–Oct (whale watching); Feb–Apr (dog sledding)