🌤️ When to go?Best time to visit Greenland
The best time to visit Greenland for backpacking is during the summer months, specifically from June to September. During this time, the weather is relatively mild, with temperatures ranging from 5 to 15 °C (41 to 59 °F). The days are longer, allowing for more exploration and outdoor activities.Additionally, the summer months offer better accessibility to remote areas, as many hiking trails and camping sites are open and accessible. It is also the best time to witness the stunning natural beauty of Greenland, with blooming flowers, wildlife sightings, and breathtaking landscapes.
However, it's important to note that even during the summer, the weather in Greenland can be unpredictable, and it is advisable to be prepared for sudden changes in conditions. It is also recommended to check with local authorities and tour operators for any specific recommendations or restrictions before embarking on your backpacking adventure.
Why visit Greenland in June?
June is an ideal time to visit Greenland for a unique and unforgettable experience. The summer season brings long daylight hours, allowing for ample time to explore the stunning natural landscapes and witness the breathtaking phenomenon of the midnight sun. This provides an opportunity for outdoor activities such as hiking, wildlife spotting, and boat tours, showcasing the raw beauty of the Arctic environment.Additionally, June is the perfect time to witness the impressive icebergs as they begin to break off from glaciers and drift along the coast. This natural spectacle offers an opportunity for boat tours to get up close to these massive ice formations, providing a once-in-a-lifetime experience. The warmer temperatures also make it more comfortable for outdoor adventures, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the pristine wilderness of Greenland.
On the downside, June can also bring unpredictable weather, with occasional fog and rain affecting visibility and outdoor activities. Additionally, the influx of tourists during this popular time may result in crowded tourist attractions and accommodations. It’s important to plan and book in advance to ensure a smooth and enjoyable trip to Greenland in June.
Why visit Greenland in July?
July is the perfect time to visit Greenland because it is the peak of the summer season. During this time, the days are long, and the weather is relatively mild, making it ideal for exploring the stunning natural landscapes and engaging in outdoor activities. The midnight sun phenomenon means that visitors can enjoy almost 24 hours of daylight, providing ample time to hike, kayak, and cruise through the breathtaking fjords and glaciers. The longer days also offer the opportunity to witness the unique wildlife that thrives in the Arctic environment, such as whales, seals, and a variety of bird species. Additionally, July is the prime time for experiencing the cultural events and festivals that take place throughout the country, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the rich traditions and heritage of the Greenlandic people. Overall, visiting Greenland in July provides the perfect combination of favorable weather, extended daylight, and a range of activities and experiences to make for an unforgettable adventure.
Why visit Greenland in August?
August is the ideal time to visit Greenland because it offers a unique combination of favorable weather and extraordinary natural phenomena. During this month, the Arctic summer is in full swing, bringing milder temperatures, longer daylight hours, and a stunning landscape of blooming wildflowers and lush greenery. This makes it the perfect time to explore the pristine wilderness and engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and wildlife watching.Additionally, August is the peak season for experiencing the mesmerizing natural spectacle of the midnight sun. As Greenland is located above the Arctic Circle, visitors have the opportunity to witness the sun never fully setting, creating a surreal and magical atmosphere that is truly unforgettable. This phenomenon provides ample opportunities for photography, as the soft golden light bathes the rugged terrain and glaciers in a breathtaking glow.
Furthermore, August is an excellent time for whale watching in Greenland’s coastal waters. Visitors can embark on boat tours to observe majestic marine mammals such as humpback whales, minke whales, and orcas as they migrate through the nutrient-rich Arctic waters. This makes for an unforgettable and immersive wildlife experience that is sure to leave a lasting impression.
Why visit Greenland in September?
September is a great time to visit Greenland for several reasons. The summer crowds have dispersed, allowing you to explore the stunning landscapes and unique culture in a more peaceful environment. You can also witness the transition from summer to autumn, with the changing colors of the tundra and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights in the night sky.The weather in September is generally milder than earlier in the summer, making it a more comfortable time to explore the outdoors. The temperatures are still relatively mild, and the days are long, providing ample time for activities such as hiking, boat tours, and wildlife watching. Additionally, September is a prime time for whale watching, as many species migrate through the waters surrounding Greenland during this time of year.
However, visiting Greenland in September also has its drawbacks. The weather can be unpredictable, with the possibility of sudden changes and occasional storms. This could impact outdoor activities and travel plans. Additionally, some tourist facilities and services may start to close for the season, limiting options for accommodations and dining. It’s important to be prepared for these potential challenges when planning a trip to Greenland in September.
🌤️ Climate in Greenland
In Greenland, an autonomous territory of the Kingdom of Denmark, the climate is arctic along the north-central coasts (zone 1 on the map), where the temperatures of the warmest months are around freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) and subarctic on the south-central coasts (zone 2 on the map), where the average temperatures in the summer months are above freezing, but still below 10 °C (50 °F). It goes without saying that the largest settlements are located in this area that has a relatively milder climate. Finally, there is the vast inland area (zone 3 on the map), where the temperature remains around or below freezing even in the summer months.Greenland is a very large island and is very extended in latitude, in fact, the southern tip is located at the same latitude as Oslo (Norway), while the northernmost tip is the land closest to the North Pole, which is about 700 kilometres (400 miles) away.
Much of the island is covered by an ice sheet, called Inlandsis, which formed over the millennia and is up to 3,000 meters (10,000 ft) thick in the interior. The ice sheet is not stationary, but moves slowly, sliding towards the sea by gravity. The ice flows to the sea through the fjords, giving birth to icebergs which then drift away in the sea.
In the center and north, the coldest month is typically February, and sometimes even March. March is usually as cold as January or even colder. This happens because at these latitude, in winter the sun never rises, and even when it rises above the horizon in March, it initially remains very low and fails to warm the soil, also because the latter is covered with snow and therefore it reflects most of the solar rays. It goes without saying that in April, in the center and north, temperatures are still very low, that is, many degrees below freezing.
During the long winter, nights can be illuminated by the spectacular northern lights (aurora borealis).
Greenland is a windy island. The winds that descend from the perennial ice cap and then reach the fjords and the sea are called katabatic. In addition, there are the cold winds that come directly from the North Pole. Strong winds blowing with very cold temperatures are dangerous for human beings if they are not properly equipped, and can lead to frostbite.
There are also the southern and westerly winds, which blow especially along the southern coast, and are due to the clash between polar and mild air masses, the latter carried along the Atlantic Ocean by the Gulf Stream. There are, however, also sheltered bays and fjords where the wind blows more rarely.
Precipitation in Greenland is generally scarce but quite frequent, mainly in the form of light snow, in the central-northern areas, where it fluctuates from 100 to 300 millimeters (4 to 12 inches) per year. Instead, it is more abundant along the coasts south of the Arctic Circle, where it can occur in the form of rain for a few months per year and generally exceed 600 mm (23.5 in) per year. The area where it is most abundant is the far south-eastern coast, where it even exceeds 2,000 mm per year (80 in).
However, in cold and windy areas, where there are only automatic stations, it is difficult to measure the actual amount of precipitation due to extreme weather conditions (for example, light snow blown away by the wind).
The amount of sunshine is not very good, at least along the coasts, but in spring and summer, the sun can come out, also because of the long days, so it can be useful to bring sunscreen, lip balm and sunglasses for the vast snow-covered areas.
source: climatestotravel.com