When to go · Nuuk
Nuuk in May
Mixed month. Ice breaking up; boat trips restart late.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C) / 0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 11
- Crowds
- Low
- Greenland overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Greenland overall
Verdict
Ice breaking up; boat trips restart late.
All twelve months in one grid — weather, crowds and prices, with gaps left as unknown.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
Weather in May
- NuukHighs around 5 °C (41 °F), lows around 0 °C (32 °F), rain on about 11 daysHighs around 41 °F (5 °C), lows around 32 °F (0 °C), rain on about 11 days
- Nuuk and the southwest coast, Greenland · 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.
Spring season
Brighter days, snow melt and few visitors.
Watch: Mud, ice and fewer boat trips.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Greenland overall
- Low
- Prices · Greenland overall
- Medium
Greenland overall: Thaw and slush; icebergs and sea ice breaking; few tours yet.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Nuuk, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Jun: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 5 °C (41 °F)41 °F (5 °C)
Jun: 9 °C (48 °F)48 °F (9 °C)
Night low
May: 0 °C (32 °F)32 °F (0 °C)
Jun: 3 °C (37 °F)37 °F (3 °C)
Rain days
May: 11
Jun: 11
Crowds
May: Low
Jun: Medium
Prices
May: Medium
Jun: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jun: 3
May: Ice breaking up; boat trips restart late.
June: Near-24-hour light; boat trips and hiking; National Day on 21 June.
Nuuk: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast