Greenland in September

Autumn colour on the tundra, northern lights and the last boat trips.

September is rated good. 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.

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

  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, Aasiaatfine

  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 hinterlandfine

  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, Nanortalikbest weather

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

• East Greenland · Tasiilaq, Ittoqqortoormiitfine

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

• Nuuk7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 14 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 14 rain days
• Aasiaat10 °C (50 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Igaliku9 °C (48 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Ilulissat5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
• Ittoqqortoormiit6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
• Kangerlussuaq8 °C (46 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
• Kulusuk5 °C (41 °F) / -7 °C (19 °F), 8 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 19 °F (-7 °C), 8 rain days
• Nanortalik10 °C (50 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 7 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 7 rain days
• Narsaq10 °C (50 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 9 rain days
• Narsarsuaq8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 8 rain days
• Oqaatsut8 °C (46 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 8 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 8 rain days
• Qaanaaq2 °C (36 °F) / -8 °C (18 °F), 0 rain days36 °F (2 °C) / 18 °F (-8 °C), 0 rain days
• Qaqortoq10 °C (50 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 8 rain days
• Qasigiannguit7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
• Qassiarsuk11 °C (52 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 10 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 10 rain days
• Sisimiut9 °C (48 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 5 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 5 rain days
• Tasiilaq8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
• Upernavik5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
• Uummannaq5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 4 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 4 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

Medium

Prices · Greenland

Medium

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

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• South Greenland

  Best weather of the year (Narsarsuaq, Qaqortoq, Narsaq, Nanortalik)

• Nuuk

  Autumn colours; boat trips continue; fewer visitors.

• Aasiaat

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

• Igaliku

  Best months: Jun–Sep

• Ilulissat

  Best months: Mar–Apr for dogsled and northern lights; Jun–Sep for midnight sun, boats and hiking

• Kangerlussuaq

  Best months: Feb–Apr, Jun–Sep

• Nanortalik

  Best months: Jun–Sep

• Narsaq

  Best months: Jun–Sep

• Narsarsuaq

  Best months: Jun–Sep

• Oqaatsut

  Best months: Jun–Sep

• Qasigiannguit

  Best months: Jun–Sep (milder weather, boat access); Mar–Apr (dogsled, snow)

• Qassiarsuk

  Best months: Jun–Sep