When to go · Yellowknife
Yellowknife in May
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Late May–Jul for aurora (too light); Jan–Feb if you cannot handle −25 °C (−13 °F) and below.Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Late May–Jul for aurora (too light); Jan–Feb if you cannot handle −13 °F (−25 °C) and below.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 10°C (51°F)51°F (10°C) / 0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 16
- Crowds
- Medium
- Canada overall
- Prices
- Medium
- Canada overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Late May–Jul for aurora (too light); Jan–Feb if you cannot handle −25 °C (−13 °F) and below.Listed as a month to avoid: Late May–Jul for aurora (too light); Jan–Feb if you cannot handle −13 °F (−25 °C) and below.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside Yellowknife's best window: Late Aug–mid-Apr for aurora; Jun–Aug for midnight sun, hiking and lake trips.
- JulyGreatInside Yellowknife's best window: Late Aug–mid-Apr for aurora; Jun–Aug for midnight sun, hiking and lake trips.
- AugustGreatInside Yellowknife's best window: Late Aug–mid-Apr for aurora; Jun–Aug for midnight sun, hiking and lake trips.
- SeptemberGreatInside Yellowknife's best window: Late Aug–mid-Apr for aurora; Jun–Aug for midnight sun, hiking and lake trips.
Weather in May
- YellowknifeHighs around 10.4 °C (51 °F), lows around 0.1 °C (32 °F), rain on about 16 daysHighs around 51 °F (10.4 °C), lows around 32 °F (0.1 °C), rain on about 16 days
- The North, Canada · Whitehorse, Yellowknife, Dawson City, Iqaluitfine
Midnight sun in June–July; northern lights and −30 °C (−22 °F) from about November to March.Midnight sun in June–July; northern lights and −22 °F (−30 °C) from about November to March.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Canada overall
- Medium
- Prices · Canada overall
- Medium
Canada overall: Victoria Day weekend opens the season; Rockies lakes still frozen at altitude.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Yellowknife, side by side.
Verdict
May: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 10.4 °C (51 °F)51 °F (10.4 °C)
Jan: -21.6 °C (−7 °F)−7 °F (-21.6 °C)
Night low
May: 0.1 °C (32 °F)32 °F (0.1 °C)
Jan: -29.4 °C (−21 °F)−21 °F (-29.4 °C)
Rain days
May: 16
Jan: 15 (better)
Crowds
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Prices
May: Medium
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 0
May: Listed as a month to avoid: Late May–Jul for aurora (too light); Jan–Feb if you cannot handle −25 °C and below.
January: Inside Yellowknife's best window: Late Aug–mid-Apr for aurora; Jun–Aug for midnight sun, hiking and lake trips.
Yellowknife: 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