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 | 72° | 53° | 1,8 in | ★★★★☆ |
| September | 58° | 44° | 1,5 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 | 23°F | 36°F cooler | 22 in |
Best time to visit Northwest Territories
Go in June, July and August. 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 August. The forecast high of 68°F is 3.6°F below the 72°F typical for this month.
A 100% chance means rain is expected over most of the area. Plan indoor alternatives.
Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
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
- Sunglasses, a brimmed hat and SPF 30+
- Layers - the daily swing is 63°F, so mornings feel nothing like afternoons
- A packable rain shell - 5 of the next 7 days carry a real chance of rain
- 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 61°F (16°C) in Northwest Territories with mainly clear. It feels like 60°F. Today runs from 51°F to 68°F. Chance of precipitation is 100%. Sightseeing conditions score 7.1/10 - good conditions.
The best time to visit Northwest Territories is June, July and August. 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 August. The forecast high of 68°F is 3.6°F below the 72°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. fishing is the strongest bet in Northwest Territories today at 9.2/10. Wet roads are likely; braking distances roughly double in heavy rain.
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 | 3:11 AM (UTC-06:00) |
| Best months | June, July and August |
| 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 61°F (16°C) with mainly clear. Humidity is 91% and wind is 8 mph.
When is the best time to visit Northwest Territories?
June, July and August 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 3:11 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 August 23, 2026 at 3:11 AM local time. Live blocks refresh every 15 minutes; climate averages monthly.
