Northwest Territories Climate and Average Weather
Climate of Northwest Territories: average temperatures, rainfall and seasons month by month.
Climate in Northwest Territories month by month
Average high, average low and total rainfall, based on three years of reanalysis data.
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Rainfall | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -4° | -17° | 0,8 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| February | 0° | -16° | 0,8 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| March | 9° | -13° | 0,2 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| April | 38° | 16° | 0,6 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| May | 57° | 36° | 1,5 in | ★★★★☆ |
| June | 73° | 51° | 1,2 in | ★★★★★ |
| July | 73° | 54° | 2,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| August | 70° | 51° | 2,7 in | ★★★★☆ |
| September | 56° | 42° | 1,4 in | ★★★★☆ |
| October | 36° | 27° | 1,2 in | ★★★☆☆ |
| November | 13° | 3° | 0,9 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
| December | -4° | -16° | 0,8 in | ★★☆☆☆ |
Climate type: Polar. Source: Open-Meteo archive (ERA5).
Recent extremes in Northwest Territories
Highest and lowest readings observed in the last 3 years of reanalysis data - not all-time records.
How Northwest Territories compares with nearby places
Annual averages, and the difference against Northwest Territories.
| Place | Distance | Avg temp | vs here | Annual rain |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Yukon | 303 mi | 22°F | 36°F cooler | 22 in |
Best time to visit Northwest Territories
Go in June and July. These months score highest on comfortable temperatures, low rainfall and useful daylight.
Hardest months: January, February and December - expect the least comfortable mix of heat, cold or rain.
What this means for Northwest Territories
Today is slightly cooler than average for October. The forecast high of 31°F is 4.7°F below the 36°F typical for this month.
A 31% chance means rain is likely somewhere nearby at some point - carry a layer, but do not cancel.
Overnight lows near 23°F mean ice is possible on bridges before dawn.
Above 60 degrees latitude, daylight swings enormously - summer nights barely darken and winter days are short.
Northern Hemisphere, so peak summer falls in June to August.
The gap between the warmest and coldest month averages 106°F.
What to pack, what to skip
- A warm mid-layer and gloves for early mornings and evenings
- Insulated outer layer, hat and boots with grip for ice
- Avoid high-elevation trails without traction devices - frozen surfaces persist in shade all day.
- If your dates are flexible, avoid January, February and December - historically the least comfortable months here.
Summary
Northwest Territories is a province in Canada. Northwest Territories is a Canadian province or territory. It has a population of about 45.000. The capital is Yellowknife.
Right now it is 30°F (-1°C) in Northwest Territories with overcast. It feels like 25°F. Today runs from 23°F to 31°F. Chance of precipitation is 31%. Sightseeing conditions score 6.5/10 - fair - plan around the weather.
The best time to visit Northwest Territories is June and July. The climate is polar. January, February and December tend to be the least comfortable months. July is the warmest month with average highs near 73°F, while January is the coldest with lows near -17°F.
In plain terms. Today is slightly cooler than average for October. The forecast high of 31°F is 4.7°F below the 36°F typical for this month. The best window to be outside is roughly 7 AM to 10 AM, when temperature, rain chance and wind line up best. driving is the strongest bet in Northwest Territories today at 8.7/10. Overnight lows near 23°F mean ice is possible on bridges before dawn.
Compiled from this page's own data: atlas facts plus live Open-Meteo readings.
Quick facts about Northwest Territories
| Type | Province |
|---|---|
| Country | Canada |
| Continent | North America |
| Coordinates | 64°49′31.8″N 124°50′44.5″W (64.8255, -124.8457) |
| Capital | Yellowknife |
| Population | 45.000 |
| Area | 519.734 sq mi |
| Time zone | America/Yellowknife |
| Local time | 7:40 AM (UTC-06:00) |
| Best months | June and July |
| Climate | Polar |
Weather map for Northwest Territories
Animated model layers. Pick a layer to load it.
Animated layers by Windy. For pin-level detail and nearby places, see the interactive map below.
Explore Northwest Territories
Every topic we hold for this place, and the same topic for the places around it.
Climate for related places
Frequently asked questions
Where is Northwest Territories?
Northwest Territories is a province in Canada. Its coordinates are 64.8255, -124.8457. It lies in North America.
What is the weather like in Northwest Territories right now?
It is currently 30°F (-1°C) with overcast. Humidity is 97% and wind is 3 mph.
When is the best time to visit Northwest Territories?
June and July offer the most comfortable conditions in Northwest Territories, which has a polar climate. January, February and December are usually the hardest months for outdoor plans.
What time zone is Northwest Territories in?
Northwest Territories observes America/Inuvik (UTC-06:00). The local time is 7:40 AM.
How many people live in Northwest Territories?
Northwest Territories has a population of approximately 45.000.
Related articles
Data sources and methodology
| Place data | USPOTUS Atlas dataset (ca-provinces) - coordinates, hierarchy and facts. |
|---|---|
| Forecast and observations | Open-Meteo (ECMWF and national models). |
| Air quality and pollen | Copernicus CAMS via Open-Meteo. US AQI scale. |
| Climate averages | ERA5 reanalysis via the Open-Meteo archive, aggregated over 3 years. |
| Method | Scores, comparisons and advice on this page are computed from the inputs above. Distances are straight-line. Nothing is estimated where data is missing - the block is simply not shown. |
Last updated October 28, 2026 at 7:40 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
