Best Time to Visit Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada
Yellowknife is at its sunniest and driest in July.
The best time to visit Yellowknife for sunny, dry weather is July — 1 month of the year fit our sunny profiles at this specific location. The drier stretch runs through November–May; the wetter half falls in June–October. At the city itself, monthly average temperatures range from -26.2°C / -15.2°F in January to 15.9°C / 60.6°F in July, with rainfall from 11 mm / 0.4 in (April) to 42 mm / 1.7 in (August). These are point-value climate normals sampled at Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada's coordinates — usually more actionable for travellers than the country-wide average. Yellowknife's climate is broadly strongly continental. The full month-by-month table below lets you match your travel window against our five weather profiles.
Recommended months
| Month | Temp | Rain | Feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| July | 15.9°C60.6°F | 36 mm1.4″ | Sunny & Mild |
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Yellowknife?
The best time to visit Yellowknife for sunny, dry weather is July. At the city itself, the warmest month is July averaging 15.9°C / 60.6°F, and the driest is April with about 11 mm / 0.4 in of rain. These are point-value climate normals sampled at Yellowknife's coordinates.
When is the rainy season in Yellowknife?
The rainy season at Yellowknife, Northwest Territories runs through June–October, when monthly rainfall exceeds the annual median of about 24 mm / 0.9 in. The wettest single month is August (42 mm / 1.7 in).
What is the driest month in Yellowknife?
The driest month in Yellowknife is April, averaging about 11 mm / 0.4 in of rainfall. Temperature that month averages -5.7°C / 21.7°F.
What months should I avoid visiting Yellowknife?
The least comfortable months for travel to Yellowknife — based on point-value climate at the city — are January, February, March, July, August, October, December. These are the wettest or coolest months at this location. Rainfall peaks at 42 mm / 1.7 in in August, and the coldest month averages -26.2°C / -15.2°F.
Is Yellowknife climate different from Canada overall?
Yes, usually. Our Yellowknife figures are point-value climate normals sampled at the city itself, while our Canada figures are area-weighted averages across the whole country. The two can diverge substantially in geographically diverse or elevation-varied countries. The month-by-month table below reflects Yellowknife specifically — usually the more actionable data for a traveller planning to spend time in the city.