The climate of Qasigiannguit
Qasigiannguit, located in
Greenland, prominently experiences a Tundra climate, as determined by the Köppen climate classification. This type of climate, denoted as 'ET', is characterized by meager monthly temperatures which typically go below freezing point. Looking at the climatological parameters, it is observable that the sea temperatures hover around -1.2°C (29.8°F) to -1.4°C (29.5°F) during the first quarter of the year, and between -0.3°C (31.5°F) to 0°C (32°F) in the last quarter, indicating a perpetually freezing sea environment. An upward trend in sea temperature becomes apparent in
May, resulting in slightly higher temperatures, reaching up to 3.8°C (38.8°F) in
September, before beginning to descend again from
October. Notably, the longest stretch of daylight comes in at 24 hours in
June and dips down to a scarce 2.5 hours in
December, expressing a marked difference in day length throughout the year.
The prevailing climate in Qasigiannguit is largely cold, with slight respite from the intense cold during the summer months. Stringent daylight hours during the winter exacerbate the chill, while the expanded daylight exposure in the summer facilitates a modest increase in sea temperatures. Conversely, the considerable variance in daylight hours can make both the winters somewhat taxing, with reduced daylight time, and the summers distinct, with round-the-clock daylight.
The best time to visit Qasigiannguit
Although
Qasigiannguit is predominantly cold throughout the year, the months from
June to
September present a relatively warm period with sea temperatures ranging from 2.3°C (36.1°F) to 3.8°C (38.8°F). Longer daylight hours complement the surge in temperature, providing the necessary illumination that enhances outdoor activities. Accordingly, visitors might opt for this period to explore Qasigiannguit, bearing in mind that temperatures, even at their highest, remain relatively low. It should also be noted that while temperatures are somewhat more elevated during these months, the sea temperature still falls below the average comfort zone for swimming, indicating that beach-related activities might not be suitable.
The worst time to visit Qasigiannguit
Visiting
Qasigiannguit from
December to
March may not be preferable due to the extreme cold. During this period, sea temperatures dip from -0.3°C (31.5°F) to -1.4°C (29.5°F) and daylight hours dwindle, reaching as low as 2.5 hours in December. The scarcity of daylight, coupled with the freezing temperatures can limit outdoor activities and overall mobility, making this period less appealing for tourists.
Spring weather in Qasigiannguit
Qasigiannguit welcomes its spring between
April and
May. During this period, sea temperatures rise slightly from -1.2°C (29.8°F) to 2.3°C (36.1°F). An increase in daylight hours from 16 to 21.6 hours enhances spring's arrival. Even though temperatures remain low, the increased daylight hours enhance the appeal of outdoor activities.
Summer weather in Qasigiannguit
Summer manifests itself in
Qasigiannguit between
June and
August, with the most extended daylight period peaking at 24 hours in June. Sea temperatures during this period range from 2.3°C (36.1°F) to 3.2°C (37.8°F), which could be more comfortable for visitors accustomed to colder climates.
Autumn weather in Qasigiannguit
The shift to autumn in
Qasigiannguit is characterized by a steady dip in both sea temperatures and daylight hours. From
September to
November, sea temperatures fall from 3.8°C (38.8°F) to 0.3°C (32.5°F) while daylight hours drop from 13.2 to 4.4 hours, indicating the impending advent of the rigorous winter months.
Winter weather in Qasigiannguit
Winter in
Qasigiannguit spans from
December to
March, and it engenders challenging weather conditions. During this time, sea temperatures dwindle from -0.3°C (31.5°F) to -1.4°C (29.5°F) while daylight hours further decline to an absolute minimum of 2.5 hours in December. These conditions may not be ideal for tourism, but they do provide a stark representation of the frozen landscape of this part of
Greenland.
Weather in January
January in
Qasigiannguit,
Greenland experiences a bitter cold, with the sea temperature falling to a freezing -1.2°C (29.8°F). The town experiences minimal daylight, reflecting the region's long arctic winter period. The extreme temperature conditions make outdoor a difficult venture.
Weather in January » Weather in February
With the winter persisting into
February, the temperature shows little variation from the preceding month. The sea temperature remains chilling at -1.4°C (29.5°F).
Qasigiannguit experiences longer daylight hours as the days start getting slightly longer.
Weather in February »Weather in March
March continues the trend from
February, with temperatures holding steady at -1.4°C (29.5°F) in the sea. The daylight hours increase considerably, indicating a gradual transition towards the spring season. However, the weather remains the same with a persistent cold that might be off-putting to casual travelers.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
Beginning of spring in
April brings a negligible increase with the minimum sea temperature rising to -1.2°C (29.8°F). Variation in daylight hours becomes more pronounced as warmer days begin to outnumber the colder ones. There's a considerable softening of the overall weather conditions, although winter's chill still lingers.
Weather in April »Weather in May
May is marked by a considerable shift with sea temperatures rising to a comparatively warmer -0.1°C (31.8°F). There’s a notable increase in daylight, significantly affecting the overall climate. Most of the ice has melted now, and
Qasigiannguit starts looking green.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June brings a further improvement to the sea temperatures, with temperatures rising up to 2.3°C (36.1°F). The town is now bathed with perpetual sunlight, a distinct feature of the Arctic summers. Snowing has stopped allowing more accessibility to the city's attractions.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
Warmest of the year, sea temperatures in
July continue to stay at 2.3°C (36.1°F). Longer daylight hours contribute to making this a tourist-friendly period. Mild weather with rare rainfall events characterizes this season. Visitors can experience the midnight sun phenomenon, unique to Arctic regions.
Weather in July »Weather in August
August ushers slight changes with sea temperatures ascending to 3.2°C (37.8°F). Despite these increases, the majority of visitors still find it noticeably cool. The duration of daylight starts decreasing, signaling the end of summer.
Weather in August » Weather in September
September in
Qasigiannguit features a decline with sea temperatures dropping to 3.8°C (38.8°F). The daylight hours reduce, indicating the onset of the long Arctic winter. The gradual reduction in temperature and daylight also reduces the scope for popular summer outdoor activities.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October signals the transition to the wintry climate of
Qasigiannguit. Sea temperatures again experience a drop, settling at 2°C (35.6°F). The daylight diminishes considerably, making outdoor excursions limited. October's weather is mostly cold and frosty, prompting a majority of tourists to wrap up their exploration and depart.
Weather in October » Weather in November
As winter sets in again in
Qasigiannguit, the sea temperature further falls to 0.3°C (32.5°F) in
November. With daylight scarcity, the city heads into a prolonged cold spell. The serenity in the city company with the beauty of the winter is remarkable.
Weather in November »Weather in December
Rounding out the year,
December features the freezing condition with sea temperatures dropping to -0.3°C (31.5°F). It's a hardcore winter month, with barely any daylight. Activities become limited due to the chilled weather. With the year moving to an end, the city plunges into the Arctic darkness.
Weather in December »