When to go · Nuuk
Nuuk in January
Mixed month. Very cold; northern lights; short days.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- −3°C27°F / −9°C16°F
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 10
- Crowds
- Low
- Greenland overall
- Prices
- Low
- Greenland overall
Verdict
Very cold; northern lights; short days.
Weather in January
- NuukHighs around -3 °C, lows around -9 °C, rain on about 10 daysHighs around 27 °F, lows around 16 °F, rain on about 10 days
- Nuuk and the southwest coast, Greenland · Nuuk, Maniitsoq, Paamiutcool
Maritime: winters around −8 °C, summers 5–10 °C; fog and wind can ground flights any time.Maritime: winters around 18 °F, summers 41–50 °F; fog and wind can ground flights any time.
Winter season
Snow, northern lights, calm cold days and short light.
Watch: Few tours, shorter hours and ice.
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Winter and northern lights
Sep–Mar · Skies away from town lights
Cold nights, aurora tours and few crowds.
Northern lights season
Sep–Mar
Evening tours sell out on clear nights.
Short days and dark
Nov–Feb
Fewer tours and shorter museum hours; northern lights on clear nights.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Greenland overall
- Low
- Prices · Greenland overall
- Low
Greenland overall: Dark and cold; sun returns to Ilulissat in mid-January. Northern lights in Kangerlussuaq.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket