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)9°F (−13°C) / −20°C (−4°F)−4°F (−20°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 8
- Crowds
- Low
- Greenland overall
- Prices
- Low
- Greenland overall
Verdict
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:
- MarchGreatInside Ilulissat's best window: Mar–Apr for dogsled and northern lights; Jun–Sep for midnight sun, boats and hiking.
- AprilGreatInside Ilulissat's best window: Mar–Apr for dogsled and northern lights; Jun–Sep for midnight sun, boats and hiking.
- JuneGreatInside Ilulissat's best window: Mar–Apr for dogsled and northern lights; Jun–Sep for midnight sun, boats and hiking.
- JulyGreatInside Ilulissat's best window: Mar–Apr for dogsled and northern lights; Jun–Sep for midnight sun, boats and hiking.
Weather in January
- IlulissatHighs around -13 °C (9 °F), lows around -20 °C (−4 °F), rain on about 8 daysHighs around 9 °F (-13 °C), lows around −4 °F (-20 °C), 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)9 °F (-13 °C)
Mar: -13 °C (9 °F)9 °F (-13 °C)
Night low
Jan: -20 °C (−4 °F)−4 °F (-20 °C)
Mar: -21 °C (−6 °F)−6 °F (-21 °C)
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