Yukon's Climate: Average Temperatures Throughout the Year

Extreme Seasonal Swings in Canada's Northwest

Yukon experiences a subarctic climate with brutally cold winters and mild, short summers. Representative monthly averages:

Context

• Winter (Nov–Mar): Temperatures frequently plunge below -30°C; permafrost underlies much of the territory.
• Summer (Jun–Aug): Long daylight hours (midnight sun north of Arctic Circle) allow temperatures to reach the low 20s°C.
• Variability: Coastal areas (e.g., Dawson City) are slightly moderated; interior valleys see greater extremes.

These averages mask daily fluctuations; record lows approach -60°C, while summer heatwaves can exceed 30°C. Visitors and residents must prepare for rapid changes and prolonged cold snaps.