Weather in Yellowknife

About Yellowknife

Yellowknife sits on Great Slave Lake's shores beneath skies famous for Aurora Borealis displays, the 'Northern Lights capital.' The nearby diamond mines bring prosperity. The city serves as gateway to boreal forest.

Country

Canada

Best months to visit

July

Currency

CAD

Language

English

Things to do in Yellowknife

Watch the Aurora Borealis in winter via night skies tours Fish for pike in Great Slave Lake Explore nearby tundra and boreal forest Visit diamond mines and geology museums Hike trails with views of Great Slave Lake Experience 24-hour summer daylight in June

Weather by month

Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.

January

-20C

Cold, and mostly sunny skies.

February

-22C

Cold, and mostly sunny skies.

March

-13C

Cold, and mostly sunny skies.

April

-3C

Cold, and mostly sunny skies.

May

10C

Cool, with occasional showers.

June

18C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

Recommended

July

21C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

August

19C

Mild and comfortable, with occasional showers.

September

11C

Cool, with occasional showers.

October

Cold, with occasional showers.

November

-9C

Cold, with occasional showers.

December

-18C

Cold, with occasional showers.

Yellowknife sits on the edge of Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories, a small city of stilted houseboats, mining history and some of the most reliable aurora viewing on the planet. Old Town's colourful, ramshackle waterfront contrasts with a modern downtown built on diamond mining wealth, and in winter the frozen lake becomes a playground for ice roads, dog sledding and aurora villages set up specifically for the nightly light shows.

Best areas to stay in Yellowknife

Old Town

The original waterfront settlement on Great Slave Lake, with houseboats, cabins and the Bush Pilots' Monument.

Downtown Yellowknife

The modern commercial core with hotels, restaurants and the Prince of Wales Northern Heritage Centre.

Latham Island

A peninsula connected to downtown, home to a Dene community and quiet lakeside walks.

Aurora villages (outskirts)

Purpose-built viewing camps a short drive from the city, away from light pollution for night-sky viewing.

Getting to Yellowknife

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Flights

Yellowknife Airport has connections via Edmonton, Calgary and Ottawa, including seasonal direct flights for aurora season.

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From London

~2 hours by air from Edmonton.

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Getting around

Downtown and Old Town are walkable; aurora viewing typically requires transport to dedicated viewing sites outside the city.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to see the northern lights in Yellowknife?

Late August to April offers dark enough skies, with the clearest, coldest conditions typically in winter (December-March) giving the most consistent displays.

What is Old Town?

Yellowknife's original waterfront settlement, a colourful collection of houseboats, cabins and the Bush Pilots' Monument with views over Great Slave Lake.

Is Yellowknife very cold in winter?

Yes — temperatures regularly fall to -30°C (-22°F) or lower, so dedicated cold-weather gear (often provided by aurora tour operators) is essential.

Can you visit Great Slave Lake in summer?

Yes — summer brings boat tours, fishing and near 24-hour daylight, a complete contrast to the dark winter aurora season.

Do I need a tour to see the northern lights?

Not strictly, but guided aurora tours provide heated viewing shelters, transport away from city lights, and local knowledge of the best conditions.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

The aurora here lived up to every expectation — three nights of incredible displays from a heated tent at one of the aurora camps. Bitterly cold but worth every layer.

Ingrid F. · January 2024

★★★★☆

Came in summer for the near-endless daylight and a fishing trip on Great Slave Lake — Old Town's houseboats were a fun, quirky wander too.

Desmond H. · July 2023

★★★★★

Dog sledding across the frozen lake under a starry sky, then the aurora appeared an hour later — an unbelievable combination of experiences.

Priya T. · March 2024