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When to go · Ilulissat

Ilulissat in January

Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (dark, cold, limited tours); May and Oct–Nov shoulder weeks when sea ice and weather cancel boats.

Key facts

Verdict
Avoid
Temperature
−13°C (9°F) / −20°C (−4°F)
average high / low
Rain days
8
Crowds
Low
Greenland overall
Prices
Low
Greenland overall

Verdict

AvoidBest and avoid months for Ilulissat

Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (dark, cold, limited tours); May and Oct–Nov shoulder weeks when sea ice and weather cancel boats.

Is another month better than January?

January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:

Weather in January

Long-term averages
  • IlulissatHighs around -13 °C (9 °F), lows around -20 °C (−4 °F), rain on about 8 days
  • Disko Bay, Greenland · 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.

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.

  • Return of the sun (Ilulissat and the north)

    Mid-January (varies by town) · Greenland

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

Crowds and prices

Crowds · Greenland overall
Low
Prices · Greenland overall
Low

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

Compare two months

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

  • Verdict

    Jan: Avoid

    Mar: Great (better)

  • Daytime high

    Jan: -13 °C (9 °F)

    Mar: -13 °C (9 °F)

  • Night low

    Jan: -20 °C (−4 °F)

    Mar: -21 °C (−6 °F)

  • Rain days

    Jan: 8

    Mar: 7 (better)

  • Crowds

    Jan: Low

    Mar: Medium

  • Prices

    Jan: Low

    Mar: Medium

  • Festivals listed

    Jan: 1

    Mar: 0

January: Listed as a month to avoid: Nov–Jan (dark, cold, limited tours); May and Oct–Nov shoulder weeks when sea ice and weather cancel boats.

March: Inside Ilulissat's best window: Mar–Apr for dogsled and northern lights; Jun–Sep for midnight sun, boats and hiking.

Ilulissat: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.

What to pack

  • A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
  • Layers: a fleece or light jacket

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Across Greenland in January →