Yellowknife
Yellowknife is the capital of the Northwest Territories, on the north shore of Great Slave Lake, and most visitors come to see the northern lights over its dark winter skies.
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Yellowknife is the capital of the Northwest Territories in northern Canada, on the north shore of Great Slave Lake. Gold mining drew people here in the 1930s, and mining still shapes the local economy. Most visitors come for the aurora. On clear, dark nights from late summer into spring, the lights can appear overhead, and the city works well as a base for aurora trips. Cloud can hide them on any single evening, so plan at least a few nights.
Old Town sits on Yellowknife Bay, where wooden houseboats line the shore and the bay freezes in winter. In summer the sky stays light late, which leaves long days for hiking, paddling and boat trips on the lake. Downtown along Franklin Avenue puts most shops, restaurants and hotels within walking distance. Winter cold can be severe, so pack warm layers and check conditions before heading out. Yellowknife suits travelers who want a northern city on a big lake, a short list of sights and time set aside for the sky.
Yellowknife in five
- Pick one of two aurora seasonsNWT Tourism lists a fall season from mid August to the end of September and a winter season from mid November to early April. Cloud and moon still decide any single night.NWT aurora guide
- Stay at least three nights for auroraAurora depends on clear skies, so a longer stay gives more chances. Some tours pick you up at your door, which saves renting a car and driving in winter dark.
- Book licensed operatorsNWT Tourism says licensed NWT tour operators provide aurora experiences from rugged chases to lodge stays. Use its operator directory rather than an unlicensed offer.NWT operators
- Walk Old Town in a half dayNWT Tourism describes a 3 to 4 hour guided hike on a 7 to 8 km loop from City Hall through Old Town to Pilot's Monument. Walkers can follow the same route on their own.Yellowknife page
- Check wildfire notices in summerThe NWT tourism home page carries a notice about wildfire concerns. Check it before summer trips, since smoke and closures can affect roads and flights.
Things to do in Yellowknife
See all attractions in Yellowknife
Need to know
- Airport
- Yellowknife (YZF); scheduled flights from southern Canada
- Getting there
- By air; the NWT highways are long and seasonal conditions vary
- Getting around
- Taxi and tours; a car only for self-guided day drives
- Best base
- Downtown or Old Town; lodge stays for dark-sky nights
- Time needed
- 3 to 4 nights for aurora; a week with fishing or paddling
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Snowy days
- Best
- Good
- Poor
- JanuaryCloudy4 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh-20°Low-26°Deep cold, auroraJanuaryCloudy
Poor
- High
- -20°
- Low
- -26°
- Precipitation
- 15 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Deep cold, aurora
- FebruaryCloudy3 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh-20°Low-28°Cold, auroraFebruaryCloudy
Poor
- High
- -20°
- Low
- -28°
- Precipitation
- 10 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, aurora
- MarchCloudy4 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh-12°Low-21°Cold, clearMarchCloudy
Poor
- High
- -12°
- Low
- -21°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, clear
- AprilCloudy4 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh-2°Low-10°Thaw, longer daysAprilCloudy
Poor
- High
- -2°
- Low
- -10°
- Precipitation
- 13 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Thaw, longer days
- MayPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh11°Low2°Spring, long daysMayPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 11°
- Low
- 2°
- Precipitation
- 25 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring, long days
- JunePartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh18°Low9°Midnight sunJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 37 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Midnight sun
- JulyPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh21°Low13°Warm, long daysJulyPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 21°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 41 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, long days
- AugustPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh19°Low11°Fall auroraAugustPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 19°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 46 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall aurora
- SeptemberPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh12°Low6°Fall auroraSeptemberPartly cloudy
Good
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 30 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Fall aurora
- OctoberCloudy7 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh2°Low-2°Cold, darkOctoberCloudy
Poor
- High
- 2°
- Low
- -2°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, dark
- NovemberCloudy7 rainy days2 snowy daysHigh-9°Low-15°Winter auroraNovemberCloudy
Poor
- High
- -9°
- Low
- -15°
- Precipitation
- 24 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 2
- Days with storms
- 0
Winter aurora
- DecemberCloudy5 rainy days1 snowy dayHigh-19°Low-25°Deep coldDecemberCloudy
Poor
- High
- -19°
- Low
- -25°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 1
- Days with storms
- 0
Deep cold
Average daily high and low in Yellowknife, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Yellowknife
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
1
- Feels like
- -1°
- Humidity
- 65%
- Wind
- 8 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 2%
Yellowknife
02:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today1°-3°2%Monday: Cloudy. High 1°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Tue-1°-4°22%Tuesday: Fog. High -1°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Wed2°-4°0%Wednesday: Fog. High 2°, Low -4°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Thu3°-2°14%Thursday: Cloudy. High 3°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Fri2°-2°18%Friday: Cloudy. High 2°, Low -2°. Chance of rain 18%.
- Sat0°-3°14%Saturday: Snow. High 0°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 14%.
- Sun1°-3°24%Sunday: Snow. High 1°, Low -3°. Chance of rain 24%.
Updated 02:23 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 1.397 CAD
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Old Town and Pilot's Monumenta half day on footA loop from City Hall around Frame Lake, per NWT Tourism, ending at the monument views.
- Aurora viewing outside townan evening by tourTours drive out to darker skies; NWT Tourism lists fall and winter seasons.
- Whitehorse and Nunavuta flight awayThe other northern capitals; Travel Nunavut lists Yellowknife as a gateway to Cambridge Bay.Read the guide
Before you go to Yellowknife
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Rules for Yellowknife, checked
- NWT Tourism: there are two aurora seasons, from mid August to the end of September and from mid November to early April.Checked Oct 2, 2026 · Source
Plan around Yellowknife
The Yukon capital, linked by air
Read the guideNunavutArctic territory reached through Yellowknife
Read the guideEdmontonThe main southern gateway
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for remote and winter trips
Read the guideeSIM and dataCoverage before a northern trip
Read the guideAll of CanadaeTA, regions, cities and money basics
Read the guideYellowknife FAQ
When is the best time to see the northern lights in Yellowknife?
NWT Tourism lists two seasons: mid August to the end of September, and mid November to early April. Clear, dark nights matter more than the exact month, so a stay of three or more nights is wise.
How many nights do you need in Yellowknife?
Three to four nights give several chances at clear skies. Add days for Old Town, the lake and a half-day guided hike if you want more than aurora.
Do you need a tour to see the aurora?
Not strictly, but licensed tour operators handle transport, cold gear and dark-sky locations. NWT Tourism lists operators, from rugged aurora chases to lodge stays.
How do you get to Yellowknife?
By air from southern Canada, with Edmonton a common gateway. Travel Nunavut also lists Yellowknife as a gateway for flights to Cambridge Bay and connections to Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit.
Is Yellowknife safe to visit in winter?
Yes with preparation: pack insulated layers, boots and spare batteries, and book transport that picks you up. Cold is the main risk, so follow your tour operator's clothing advice.