When to go · Ilulissat
Ilulissat in October
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
- −1°C (30°F)30°F (−1°C) / −6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 9
- 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 October?
October 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 October
- IlulissatHighs around -1 °C (30 °F), lows around -6 °C (21 °F), rain on about 9 daysHighs around 30 °F (-1 °C), lows around 21 °F (-6 °C), rain on about 9 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.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Greenland overall
- Low
- Prices · Greenland overall
- Low
Greenland overall: Storms and short days; many tours stop.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Ilulissat, side by side.
Verdict
Oct: Avoid
Mar: Great (better)
Daytime high
Oct: -1 °C (30 °F)30 °F (-1 °C)
Mar: -13 °C (9 °F)9 °F (-13 °C)
Night low
Oct: -6 °C (21 °F)21 °F (-6 °C)
Mar: -21 °C (−6 °F)−6 °F (-21 °C)
Rain days
Oct: 9
Mar: 7 (better)
Crowds
Oct: Low
Mar: Medium
Prices
Oct: Low
Mar: Medium
Festivals listed
Oct: 0
Mar: 0
October: 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