Climate Greenland
Located on either side of the Arctic Circle, Greenland's polar climate is characterized by short, mild, sunny summers (midnight sun) and long, cold, dark winters (polar night). The average annual temperature across the island is well below 0°C. However, as the country is spread out between latitudes 59°N and 83°N, the weather varies from region to region. Although summer is quite fine, with temperatures around 10°C in many parts of Greenland, it's winter that really sets the tone. Experiencing your first polar winter is an unforgettable experience. Snow, cold, complete darkness and wind can make you fear the worst, but not only do you get used to it, you also enjoy it, provided you're well dressed. But all is not so idyllic, as Greenland has become a symbol of global warming.
The climate
Greenland has four climate zones. The southwest (below the Arctic Circle) enjoys the mildest climate, thanks to a branch of the Gulf Stream. This is also where most of the population is concentrated. It benefits from more abundant precipitation in summer. The further inland, the drier the climate. Diurnal warming in summer can lead to the sudden appearance of thermal winds.
The north-west (beyond the Arctic Circle) has a very cold, dry climate all year round, with less precipitation, although snowfalls are common in Ilulissat until early June. A wind called foehn (or föhn), not very violent and coming from the southeast, is frequent. Kangerlussuaq, the only town not on the coast, enjoys a continental climate, with cold winters of up to -50°C and fine, dry summers with temperatures of up to 28°C. The Thule region in the far north has a very cold climate with little warming in summer, when overcast conditions can persist.
In the east, the weather is more variable and much colder, with relatively heavy precipitation in winter, mainly in the form of snow. The presence of the ice sheet on one side and the Iceland Sea on the other creates a thermal contrast that generates strong winter winds. These include the spectacular Piterak, particularly around Tasiilaq, a violent katabatic wind from the ice cap that can reach speeds of up to 260 km/h.
The Centre is made up of the ice sheet, the freezer of the northern hemisphere. Temperatures here are highly variable and extreme all year round, and are worsened by very violent katabatic winds, particularly at the highest altitudes (above 2,000 m and 3,000 m). The coldest temperature on record was -69.6°C. Although daylight averages 16 hours a day, the average temperature in July varies between -8°C and -19°C. Precipitation is low and, of course, only in the form of snow.
The seasons
For us Westerners, the year seems to be divided into two main seasons: winter and summer. Spring and autumn are experienced as mere fleeting interludes, lasting just a few weeks: autumn, between September and early October, when night gradually takes over from day and temperatures drop; spring, between May and early June, when day takes over from night and the first ice melts as temperatures gradually rise. In a short space of time, these short seasons turn nature upside down and change the behavior of humans and animals alike. Winter is the longest season, stretching from October to the end of April. In November, the north of the country is plunged into darkness, where the population slows its pace. Night is almost permanent north of the Arctic Circle for three long months. December is probably the hardest month, when everything can be as dark at midday as it is at midnight in northern Greenland. Fortunately, there's the euphoria of Christmas, which brightens up the month a little. In January, clarity gradually reappears. Spring is signaled by the arrival of migratory birds. Summer is greeted with excitement, smiles and optimism! It's warmer, the sunshine is getting brighter by the day, and it's easier to get out on the boat. The summer feeling lasts from mid-June to the end of August. During this period, the country is very clear. Permanent daylight lasts two months in Ilulissat (mid-June to mid-July).
Average temperatures
During the summer season, temperatures are generally between 5°C and 15°C. These temperatures are only averages; they can go down or up at different levels, not to mention the current abnormal variations due to climate change. However, depending on the region you visit, minimum temperatures can be below 0°C and maximum temperatures can reach 20°C. In winter, temperatures drop below 0°C as early as November. In windy conditions, temperatures can drop as low as -40°C. In southern Greenland, the climate is warmer, and temperatures are sometimes positive or around 0°C.
Due to Greenland's low humidity, summer temperatures are often felt warmer. If the sun is shining, short-sleeved shirts and T-shirts are perfectly adequate. Conversely, winter is particularly cold in the far north of the country, for example in Upernavik, where the thermometer registers an average of -20°C in February. Beware: temperatures can change abruptly in Greenland. The safest thing to do is to check the weather forecast before setting off on an excursion.
Natural phenomena
Even if you're only here for a short time, you can't help but admire the perpetual movement of the lights. Alternately soft and opalescent, then abruptly bright and intense like a bolt of lightning, before diffusing into all the colors of the rainbow. Breathtaking auroras and sunsets of baroque flamboyance punctuate your day. Sometimes, diaphanous mists and opaque fogs will paralyze you.
The midnight sun is visible north of the Arctic Circle, between Sisimiut and Kangaamiut. In winter, in Disko Bay, twilight reigns for a few hours around midday. The true polar night can only be experienced in the very north of the country. The return of the sun after the polar night is joyously celebrated, especially in the north, after two to six months of total darkness.
White out" is an atmospheric optical phenomenon that is particularly prevalent in the low-contrast polar regions. Everything appears to be shrouded in a uniform white glow due to low skies, snow on the ground and reduced visibility. Shadows, clouds and horizons become indistinguishable, and we lose all sense of depth and orientation. It becomes easy to get lost, as landmarks disappear. A whiteout can be caused by heavy snowstorms, blizzards or fog.
Cold mirages, known as upper mirages, occur when the layers of air near the ground are colder than the layers of air above. This phenomenon is found mainly in the polar regions. When we see the image of an object above its actual position and inverted in relation to the original object (i.e. the eye perceives the object above its original position), this is because light rays bend downwards and our eye extends the direction of arrival of the rays. As a result, the object we're looking at may appear larger and more elongated.
The aurora borealis is most visible in March and autumn, when the night is long and the sky clear. In southern Greenland, they can be seen as early as late August, possibly with an experienced guide from the Tasermiut tour operator. The aurora borealis is Greenlandic mythology'sArsarnerit , the ball game played by the souls of the dead with a walrus skull. Like a light field undulating across the night sky, electrically-charged particles emanating from the sun are carried to Earth along magnetic field lines. When these particles collide with atmospheric molecules, the result is an extraordinary display of colors that vary according to the molecules they collide with. Oxygen molecules, for example, produce that distinctive yellowish-green color.
Marine currents
Its location at the confluence of the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean means that it is surrounded mainly by cold currents; the East Greenland Current carries large masses of ice along the east coast to just south of Nuuk, while the northwest current carries icebergs, mostly from Disko Bay, towards Baffin Bay. These constantly chilled shores and the icy wind coming off the ice sheet give Greenland its Arctic climate.
Tourism
Visitors prefer to go during the fine weather from June to August, and even until mid-September. This is the most active period for iceberg production, when you can access the Eqi glacier with tour operator World of Greenland or fly over the ice sheet with Air Zafari, and discover nature at temperatures between 5 and 15°C (with lows of around -5°C and highs of up to 20°C). The weather is mild and the days are very long with the midnight sun, favoring boat excursions or unusual tours with Kayak Sisimiut. Transport and tourist boats such asArctic Umiaq Lines can then sail all along the coast. By the end of August, temperatures are dropping, blueberries are ripening and the tundra is entering a short, colorful autumn. By mid-September, it can already be very cold. Many tourists prefer to come in August to avoid the mosquitoes present in June and July.
Winter is harsher, with temperatures approaching -25°C (with lows of -40°C and highs close to 0°C), followed by the polar night from November to mid-March. The country takes on its strangest character, with a dark glow, reduced activity and storms that can last several days. This is the best time to see the northern lights and go dog-sledding, especially with Paaluk from Sea Safaris in Uummannaq.
