# Geography of Nunavut

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The Canadian territory of Nunavut lies mainly in the North American Arctic and covers about 1,994,071 km$^2$ (769,915 sq mi) (1,836,994 km$^2$ [709,267 sq mi] land and 157,077 km$^2$ [60,648 sq mi] water) of land and water including part of the mainland, most of the islands in the Arctic Archipelago, and all of the islands in Hudson Bay, James Bay, and Ungava Bay (including the Belcher Islands and Akimiski Island) which belonged to the Northwest Territories before Nunavut was split from them on 1 April 1999.
This makes it the fifth largest country subdivision in the world. If Nunavut were a country, it would rank 13th in area, after Saudi Arabia. Nunavut has land borders with Manitoba, the Northwest Territories on several islands as well as the mainland, and a tiny land border with Newfoundland and Labrador on Killiniq Island.
Additionally, Nunavut has a land border with Greenland on Hans Island, making it the only Canadian jurisdiction to have a land border with a country other than the United States.

## Physical geography

The mountains on the easternmost coasts of Nunavut are part of the Arctic Cordillera which stretches from northernmost Ellesmere Island to the northernmost tip of Labrador.
The highest point is Barbeau Peak which offers some of the world's most spectacular scenery.
Geologically, Nunavut lies on the Canadian Shield, with very thin soil lying on top of the bedrock, and many bare outcrops. The multitude of rivers and lakes in the entire region is caused by the watersheds of the area being so young and in a state of sorting themselves out with the added effect of post-glacial rebound. Virtually all of Nunavut's rivers drain into the Arctic Ocean or Hudson Bay, an inland sea of the Arctic Ocean.
Arctic tundra (Köppen climate classification ET) covers virtually all of Nunavut, the only exceptions being the area roughly between the Four Corners and Ennadai and Nueltin lakes, where a marginal taiga or boreal forest exists, and small zones of permanent ice caps, found on some of the larger Arctic islands (especially Baffin, Devon and Ellesmere) at sites having a relatively high elevation. Nunavut's vegetation is partially composed of rare berries, lichens, Arctic willows, mosses, tough grass, dwarf shrubs, graminoids, and herbs.

## Climate and climate data

Nunavut experiences a polar climate in most regions, owing to its high latitude and lower continental summertime influence than areas to the west. In more southerly continental areas, very cold subarctic climates can be found, due to July being slightly milder than the required 10 °C (50 °F).
Average daily maximum and minimum temperatures for selected locations in Nunavut :
| City | July (°C) | July (°C) | July (°F) | July (°F) | January (°C) | January (°C) | January (°F) | January (°F) |
| | High | Low | High | Low | High | Low | High | Low |
| Alert | 7 | 1 | 44 | 34 | −27 | −34 | −17 | −30 |
| Baker Lake | 18 | 7 | 64 | 44 | −27 | −34 | −17 | −29 |
| Cambridge Bay | 13 | 5 | 56 | 42 | −28 | −35 | −18 | −30 |
| Eureka | 10 | 4 | 50 | 38 | −32 | −40 | −26 | −39 |
| Iqaluit | 12 | 4 | 54 | 40 | −22 | −30 | −8 | −22 |
| Kugluktuk | 16 | 7 | 60 | 44 | −23 | −31 | −9 | −23 |
| Rankin Inlet | 15 | 7 | 59 | 44 | −27 | −34 | −16 | −28 |
Climate data for Alert (Alert Airport) Climate ID: 2400300; coordinates 82°31′04″N 62°16′50″W﻿ / ﻿82.51778°N 62.28056°W﻿ / 82.51778; -62.28056﻿ (Alert Airport); elevation: 30.5 m (100 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1950–present :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | 0.0 | 0.0 | −2.4 | −1.1 | 8.1 | 18.6 | 20.2 | 23.8 | 8.4 | 4.6 | −1.1 | 1.4 | 23.8 |
| Record high °C (°F) | 0.0 (32.0) | 1.1 (34.0) | −2.2 (28.0) | 2.4 (36.3) | 10.0 (50.0) | 18.8 (65.8) | 21.0 (69.8) | 19.5 (67.1) | 11.2 (52.2) | 5.3 (41.5) | 0.6 (33.1) | 3.2 (37.8) | 21.0 (69.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −27.0 (−16.6) | −27.6 (−17.7) | −27.1 (−16.8) | −19.4 (−2.9) | −8.2 (17.2) | 2.4 (36.3) | 6.8 (44.2) | 3.8 (38.8) | −5.1 (22.8) | −13.6 (7.5) | −20.4 (−4.7) | −24.3 (−11.7) | −13.3 (8.1) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −30.7 (−23.3) | −31.4 (−24.5) | −31.0 (−23.8) | −23.3 (−9.9) | −11.1 (12.0) | 0.1 (32.2) | 3.9 (39.0) | 1.2 (34.2) | −8.0 (17.6) | −17.2 (1.0) | −24.1 (−11.4) | −28.1 (−18.6) | −16.7 (1.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −34.4 (−29.9) | −35.2 (−31.4) | −34.9 (−30.8) | −27.0 (−16.6) | −14.0 (6.8) | −2.3 (27.9) | 1.0 (33.8) | −1.4 (29.5) | −10.9 (12.4) | −20.7 (−5.3) | −27.8 (−18.0) | −31.9 (−25.4) | −20.0 (−4.0) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −48.9 (−56.0) | −50.0 (−58.0) | −49.4 (−56.9) | −45.6 (−50.1) | −29.0 (−20.2) | −14.3 (6.3) | −6.3 (20.7) | −15.0 (5.0) | −28.2 (−18.8) | −39.4 (−38.9) | −43.5 (−46.3) | −46.1 (−51.0) | −50.0 (−58.0) |
| Record low wind chill | −64.7 | −60.5 | −59.5 | −56.8 | −40.8 | −21.1 | −10.3 | −19.2 | −36.9 | −49.4 | −53.7 | −57.3 | −64.7 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 10.5 (0.41) | 7.3 (0.29) | 10.3 (0.41) | 11.5 (0.45) | 11.6 (0.46) | 11.1 (0.44) | 21.5 (0.85) | 18.4 (0.72) | 17.8 (0.70) | 12.1 (0.48) | 11.5 (0.45) | 8.5 (0.33) | 152.0 (5.98) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 2.3 (0.09) | 10.8 (0.43) | 5.3 (0.21) | 0.2 (0.01) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 18.5 (0.73) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 12.7 (5.0) | 9.6 (3.8) | 12.2 (4.8) | 13.2 (5.2) | 17.1 (6.7) | 11.1 (4.4) | 12.8 (5.0) | 15.9 (6.3) | 30.5 (12.0) | 25.5 (10.0) | 18.3 (7.2) | 13.0 (5.1) | 191.7 (75.5) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 12.4 | 8.8 | 11.5 | 10.1 | 9.0 | 7.6 | 9.6 | 10.0 | 11.2 | 12.3 | 10.6 | 10.9 | 124.1 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.7 | 5.7 | 3.4 | 0.5 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 11.3 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 11.6 | 9.7 | 10.2 | 8.7 | 9.4 | 5.4 | 4.1 | 6.8 | 11.5 | 13.0 | 10.7 | 11.1 | 112.2 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST) | 70.8 | 70.4 | 70.1 | 72.4 | 81.3 | 84.5 | 81.7 | 84.4 | 85.3 | 79.3 | 73.6 | 71.8 | 77.1 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 0.0 | 0.0 | 110.4 | 323.6 | 428.6 | 333.0 | 321.6 | 269.1 | 111.4 | 3.9 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 1,901.6 |
| Percent possible sunshine | — | — | 33.1 | 46.8 | 57.6 | 46.3 | 43.2 | 36.2 | 21.9 | 4.1 | — | — | 36.1 |
| Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (sun 1981–2010) (April maximum) ||||||||||||||
Climate data for Baker Lake (Baker Lake Airport) WMO ID: 71926; coordinates 64°17′56″N 96°04′40″W﻿ / ﻿64.29889°N 96.07778°W﻿ / 64.29889; -96.07778﻿ (Baker Lake Airport); elevation: 18.6 m (61 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1946–present :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | −2.0 | −2.7 | 1.2 | 4.1 | 15.2 | 33.1 | 37.8 | 33.4 | 26.1 | 13.5 | 1.7 | 1.0 | 37.8 |
| Record high °C (°F) | −1.7 (28.9) | −2.6 (27.3) | 1.5 (34.7) | 5.0 (41.0) | 16.2 (61.2) | 30.9 (87.6) | 33.6 (92.5) | 30.9 (87.6) | 24.2 (75.6) | 13.5 (56.3) | 2.2 (36.0) | 1.1 (34.0) | 33.6 (92.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −27.0 (−16.6) | −27.1 (−16.8) | −21.8 (−7.2) | −12.5 (9.5) | −2.6 (27.3) | 10.0 (50.0) | 17.5 (63.5) | 15.0 (59.0) | 6.8 (44.2) | −3.1 (26.4) | −14.6 (5.7) | −22.2 (−8.0) | −6.8 (19.8) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −30.5 (−22.9) | −30.7 (−23.3) | −26.1 (−15.0) | −17.0 (1.4) | −6.0 (21.2) | 5.5 (41.9) | 12.1 (53.8) | 10.4 (50.7) | 3.4 (38.1) | −6.1 (21.0) | −18.4 (−1.1) | −25.9 (−14.6) | −10.8 (12.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −34.0 (−29.2) | −34.2 (−29.6) | −30.3 (−22.5) | −21.5 (−6.7) | −9.4 (15.1) | 1.0 (33.8) | 6.7 (44.1) | 5.9 (42.6) | 0.1 (32.2) | −9.0 (15.8) | −22.1 (−7.8) | −29.5 (−21.1) | −14.7 (5.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −50.6 (−59.1) | −50.0 (−58.0) | −50.0 (−58.0) | −41.1 (−42.0) | −27.8 (−18.0) | −13.9 (7.0) | −1.7 (28.9) | −3.4 (25.9) | −14.4 (6.1) | −30.6 (−23.1) | −42.7 (−44.9) | −45.6 (−50.1) | −50.6 (−59.1) |
| Record low wind chill | −71.5 | −70.5 | −66.1 | −58.5 | −42.3 | −23.5 | −5.8 | −10.2 | −23.0 | −46.9 | −59.2 | −64.0 | −71.5 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 7.3 (0.29) | 6.0 (0.24) | 10.8 (0.43) | 12.5 (0.49) | 16.0 (0.63) | 21.5 (0.85) | 35.8 (1.41) | 48.5 (1.91) | 47.0 (1.85) | 25.1 (0.99) | 15.6 (0.61) | 11.7 (0.46) | 257.9 (10.15) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.00) | 3.9 (0.15) | 18.7 (0.74) | 37.3 (1.47) | 47.6 (1.87) | 39.3 (1.55) | 5.2 (0.20) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.00) | 152.3 (6.00) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 6.8 (2.7) | 7.8 (3.1) | 10.8 (4.3) | 14.0 (5.5) | 12.7 (5.0) | 1.8 (0.7) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 7.1 (2.8) | 21.4 (8.4) | 18.9 (7.4) | 12.0 (4.7) | 113.3 (44.6) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 7.4 | 5.8 | 8.2 | 6.6 | 7.2 | 8.0 | 8.6 | 11.6 | 11.5 | 12.8 | 10.3 | 9.1 | 107.1 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.14 | 2.0 | 7.0 | 9.0 | 10.7 | 9.5 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.06 | 40.5 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 5.6 | 5.5 | 6.8 | 7.0 | 5.9 | 1.3 | 0.0 | 0.04 | 3.2 | 10.8 | 10.3 | 7.4 | 63.9 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST) | 66.7 | 65.5 | 68.8 | 76.2 | 80.6 | 65.5 | 57.1 | 63.5 | 72.4 | 83.6 | 76.1 | 69.7 | 70.5 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 35.8 | 107.1 | 189.6 | 234.5 | 264.3 | 262.4 | 301.1 | 210.6 | 107.4 | 72.3 | 51 | 7.1 | 1,843.2 |
| Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (sunshine 1951–1980) ||||||||||||||
Climate data for Cambridge Bay (Cambridge Bay Airport) WMO ID: 71925; coordinates 69°06′29″N 105°08′18″W﻿ / ﻿69.10806°N 105.13833°W﻿ / 69.10806; -105.13833﻿ (Cambridge Bay Airport); elevation: 31.1 m (102 ft); 1991–2020 normals :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | −5.0 | −9.7 | −4.1 | 3.9 | 10.5 | 25.3 | 30.8 | 28.6 | 16.3 | 5.8 | −0.6 | −3.5 | 30.8 |
| Record high °C (°F) | −4.9 (23.2) | −9.4 (15.1) | −4.0 (24.8) | 6.1 (43.0) | 11.5 (52.7) | 23.3 (73.9) | 28.9 (84.0) | 26.1 (79.0) | 16.4 (61.5) | 6.9 (44.4) | 0.0 (32.0) | −3.4 (25.9) | 28.9 (84.0) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −27.7 (−17.9) | −28.6 (−19.5) | −24.9 (−12.8) | −16.2 (2.8) | −5.2 (22.6) | 6.0 (42.8) | 13.3 (55.9) | 10.3 (50.5) | 2.6 (36.7) | −6.6 (20.1) | −17.5 (0.5) | −24.3 (−11.7) | −9.9 (14.2) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −31.2 (−24.2) | −32.1 (−25.8) | −28.8 (−19.8) | −20.7 (−5.3) | −8.9 (16.0) | 3.0 (37.4) | 9.4 (48.9) | 7.4 (45.3) | 0.5 (32.9) | −9.5 (14.9) | −21.1 (−6.0) | −27.8 (−18.0) | −13.3 (8.1) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −34.6 (−30.3) | −35.6 (−32.1) | −32.7 (−26.9) | −25.1 (−13.2) | −12.6 (9.3) | 0.0 (32.0) | 5.4 (41.7) | 4.3 (39.7) | −1.7 (28.9) | −12.3 (9.9) | −24.7 (−12.5) | −31.3 (−24.3) | −16.7 (1.9) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −52.8 (−63.0) | −50.6 (−59.1) | −48.3 (−54.9) | −42.8 (−45.0) | −35.0 (−31.0) | −17.8 (0.0) | −8.2 (17.2) | −8.9 (16.0) | −17.2 (1.0) | −33.0 (−27.4) | −43.9 (−47.0) | −49.4 (−56.9) | −52.8 (−63.0) |
| Record low wind chill | −73.4 | −72.6 | −69.8 | −60.1 | −43.2 | −29.2 | −7.9 | −18.1 | −28.6 | −49.4 | −60.7 | −66.3 | −73.4 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 5.6 (0.22) | 5.9 (0.23) | 9.2 (0.36) | 6.9 (0.27) | 6.7 (0.26) | 16.4 (0.65) | 28.0 (1.10) | 23.5 (0.93) | 18.4 (0.72) | 14.8 (0.58) | 8.9 (0.35) | 6.2 (0.24) | 150.4 (5.92) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.8 (0.03) | 11.4 (0.45) | 28.0 (1.10) | 22.4 (0.88) | 13.2 (0.52) | 0.9 (0.04) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 76.7 (3.02) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 6.3 (2.5) | 5.5 (2.2) | 8.1 (3.2) | 7.5 (3.0) | 6.4 (2.5) | 3.4 (1.3) | 0.2 (0.1) | 1.8 (0.7) | 5.4 (2.1) | 16.6 (6.5) | 10.9 (4.3) | 7.4 (2.9) | 79.4 (31.3) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 8.4 | 7.5 | 11.7 | 7.9 | 6.9 | 9.4 | 11.1 | 12.3 | 12.0 | 13.8 | 10.8 | 8.6 | 120.5 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.8 | 6.5 | 10.4 | 11.8 | 6.8 | 0.83 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 37.2 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 8.0 | 6.2 | 10.0 | 7.5 | 6.2 | 3.5 | 0.2 | 0.8 | 5.7 | 13.1 | 10.2 | 8.4 | 79.9 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST) | 66.4 | 66.4 | 68.7 | 73.9 | 82.8 | 78.0 | 68.0 | 73.4 | 82.2 | 86.2 | 75.8 | 68.6 | 74.2 |
| Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada ||||||||||||||
Climate data for Eureka (Eureka Aerodrome) WMO ID: 71917; coordinates 79°59′N 85°56′W﻿ / ﻿79.983°N 85.933°W﻿ / 79.983; -85.933﻿ (Eureka Aerodrome); elevation: 10.4 m (34 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1947–present :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | −1.1 | −1.1 | −8.5 | −3.0 | 7.3 | 17.9 | 20.8 | 17.4 | 7.2 | 4.8 | −3.9 | −4.0 | 20.8 |
| Record high °C (°F) | −1.1 (30.0) | −1.1 (30.0) | −8.0 (17.6) | −2.8 (27.0) | 7.5 (45.5) | 18.5 (65.3) | 20.9 (69.6) | 17.6 (63.7) | 9.3 (48.7) | 5.0 (41.0) | −1.7 (28.9) | −2.1 (28.2) | 20.9 (69.6) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −32.3 (−26.1) | −33.0 (−27.4) | −32.3 (−26.1) | −21.9 (−7.4) | −6.7 (19.9) | 5.8 (42.4) | 10.1 (50.2) | 5.7 (42.3) | −3.3 (26.1) | −15.9 (3.4) | −24.3 (−11.7) | −29.2 (−20.6) | −14.8 (5.4) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −35.9 (−32.6) | −36.8 (−34.2) | −35.9 (−32.6) | −25.9 (−14.6) | −9.9 (14.2) | 3.1 (37.6) | 6.8 (44.2) | 3.4 (38.1) | −5.8 (21.6) | −19.5 (−3.1) | −28.0 (−18.4) | −32.8 (−27.0) | −18.1 (−0.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −39.5 (−39.1) | −40.5 (−40.9) | −39.4 (−38.9) | −29.8 (−21.6) | −13.1 (8.4) | 0.5 (32.9) | 3.5 (38.3) | 1.2 (34.2) | −8.2 (17.2) | −23.1 (−9.6) | −31.6 (−24.9) | −36.3 (−33.3) | −21.4 (−6.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −53.3 (−63.9) | −55.3 (−67.5) | −52.8 (−63.0) | −48.9 (−56.0) | −31.1 (−24.0) | −13.9 (7.0) | −2.2 (28.0) | −12.9 (8.8) | −31.7 (−25.1) | −41.7 (−43.1) | −48.2 (−54.8) | −51.7 (−61.1) | −55.3 (−67.5) |
| Record low wind chill | −69.2 | −69.5 | −66.9 | −59.3 | −43.2 | −20.7 | −7.0 | −17.4 | −40.3 | −52.1 | −61.3 | −66.3 | −69.5 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 2.6 (0.10) | 2.6 (0.10) | 2.6 (0.10) | 3.6 (0.14) | 3.3 (0.13) | 8.6 (0.34) | 14.4 (0.57) | 17.9 (0.70) | 8.2 (0.32) | 6.6 (0.26) | 3.7 (0.15) | 3.5 (0.14) | 77.6 (3.06) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 6.1 (0.24) | 14.0 (0.55) | 13.1 (0.52) | 0.3 (0.01) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 33.5 (1.32) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 3.7 (1.5) | 3.9 (1.5) | 4.0 (1.6) | 4.4 (1.7) | 4.7 (1.9) | 2.8 (1.1) | 1.0 (0.4) | 5.5 (2.2) | 11.3 (4.4) | 10.1 (4.0) | 5.6 (2.2) | 5.5 (2.2) | 62.5 (24.6) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 4.4 | 4.4 | 5.3 | 4.9 | 3.9 | 5.2 | 7.8 | 7.9 | 6.8 | 8.6 | 5.9 | 5.4 | 70.6 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 3.5 | 7.7 | 6.0 | 0.16 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 17.4 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 4.5 | 4.8 | 5.2 | 4.8 | 4.0 | 2.3 | 0.79 | 2.8 | 7.1 | 9.0 | 6.2 | 5.2 | 56.8 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST) | 64.5 | 66.5 | 66.2 | 64.9 | 71.9 | 70.3 | 67.4 | 75.7 | 81.7 | 75.0 | 66.9 | 66.5 | 69.8 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 0.0 | 0.0 | 118 | 355.1 | 520.7 | 405 | 341.2 | 240.1 | 101.8 | 8.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 2,090.5 |
| Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (sun 1951–1980) ||||||||||||||
Climate data for Iqaluit (Iqaluit Airport) WMO ID: 71909; coordinates 63°45′N 68°33′W﻿ / ﻿63.750°N 68.550°W﻿ / 63.750; -68.550﻿ (Iqaluit Airport); elevation: 33.5 m (110 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1946–present :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | 3.3 | 5.2 | 4.3 | 6.8 | 13.3 | 21.7 | 27.8 | 27.6 | 18.8 | 8.6 | 4.8 | 3.4 | 27.8 |
| Record high °C (°F) | 3.9 (39.0) | 5.7 (42.3) | 4.2 (39.6) | 7.2 (45.0) | 13.3 (55.9) | 22.7 (72.9) | 26.8 (80.2) | 25.5 (77.9) | 18.4 (65.1) | 9.1 (48.4) | 5.6 (42.1) | 3.8 (38.8) | 26.8 (80.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −22.0 (−7.6) | −22.9 (−9.2) | −17.6 (0.3) | −8.9 (16.0) | −0.3 (31.5) | 7.0 (44.6) | 12.0 (53.6) | 11.1 (52.0) | 5.6 (42.1) | −0.5 (31.1) | −7.5 (18.5) | −14.7 (5.5) | −4.9 (23.2) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −26.0 (−14.8) | −27.0 (−16.6) | −22.4 (−8.3) | −13.5 (7.7) | −3.2 (26.2) | 3.9 (39.0) | 8.1 (46.6) | 7.5 (45.5) | 2.9 (37.2) | −3.2 (26.2) | −11.1 (12.0) | −18.9 (−2.0) | −8.6 (16.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −29.9 (−21.8) | −31.0 (−23.8) | −27.2 (−17.0) | −18.1 (−0.6) | −6.1 (21.0) | 0.7 (33.3) | 4.2 (39.6) | 3.8 (38.8) | 0.2 (32.4) | −5.8 (21.6) | −14.7 (5.5) | −23.0 (−9.4) | −12.2 (10.0) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −45.0 (−49.0) | −49.0 (−56.2) | −44.7 (−48.5) | −34.2 (−29.6) | −26.1 (−15.0) | −10.2 (13.6) | −2.8 (27.0) | −2.5 (27.5) | −12.8 (9.0) | −27.1 (−16.8) | −36.2 (−33.2) | −43.4 (−46.1) | −45.6 (−50.1) |
| Record low wind chill | −65.5 | −66.4 | −62.1 | −53.1 | −36.0 | −18.8 | −7.2 | −8.6 | −18.6 | −42.9 | −56.8 | −60.1 | −66.4 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 16.3 (0.64) | 14.0 (0.55) | 21.4 (0.84) | 22.7 (0.89) | 21.0 (0.83) | 48.7 (1.92) | 39.8 (1.57) | 61.7 (2.43) | 50.8 (2.00) | 30.2 (1.19) | 18.5 (0.73) | 16.2 (0.64) | 361.2 (14.22) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.4 (0.02) | 0.1 (0.00) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 3.3 (0.13) | 46.1 (1.81) | 44.4 (1.75) | 65.5 (2.58) | 43.9 (1.73) | 12.3 (0.48) | 0.7 (0.03) | 0.0 (0.0) | 216.6 (8.53) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 19.4 (7.6) | 15.1 (5.9) | 20.6 (8.1) | 23.8 (9.4) | 23.0 (9.1) | 3.8 (1.5) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.0) | 8.5 (3.3) | 21.1 (8.3) | 25.9 (10.2) | 28.8 (11.3) | 190.0 (74.8) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 12.1 | 10.7 | 12.4 | 12.8 | 10.6 | 12.3 | 12.4 | 14.3 | 15.7 | 13.2 | 12.5 | 12.8 | 151.5 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.06 | 0.06 | 1.7 | 10.7 | 13.1 | 14.8 | 13.2 | 3.8 | 0.24 | 0.0 | 57.7 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 10.1 | 8.8 | 8.7 | 9.6 | 8.7 | 2.1 | 0.06 | 0.12 | 3.7 | 9.8 | 11.9 | 12.7 | 86.3 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST) | 68.1 | 67.6 | 68.9 | 74.6 | 77.3 | 74.6 | 72.9 | 73.5 | 75.2 | 78.7 | 78.4 | 74.3 | 73.7 |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 32.4 | 94.0 | 172.2 | 216.5 | 180.5 | 200.2 | 236.8 | 156.8 | 87.9 | 51.4 | 35.6 | 12.6 | 1,476.8 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 18.5 | 39.0 | 47.4 | 48.2 | 31.9 | 32.5 | 39.3 | 31.0 | 22.4 | 16.8 | 17.7 | 8.9 | 29.5 |
| Average ultraviolet index | 0 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Source 1: Environment and Climate Change Canada (Bright Sunshine 1981–2010) ||||||||||||||
| Source 2: Weather Atlas ||||||||||||||
Climate data for Kugluktuk (Kugluktuk Airport) WMO ID: 71938; coordinates 67°49′00″N 115°08′38″W﻿ / ﻿67.81667°N 115.14389°W﻿ / 67.81667; -115.14389﻿ (Baie-Kugluktuk Airport); elevation: 22.6 m (74 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1930–present :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | 0.3 | −1.7 | −0.3 | 8.9 | 19.8 | 30.3 | 36.8 | 36.8 | 25.8 | 13.1 | 2.2 | −1.5 | 36.8 |
| Record high °C (°F) | 0.8 (33.4) | 1.1 (34.0) | −0.1 (31.8) | 9.8 (49.6) | 23.3 (73.9) | 32.5 (90.5) | 34.9 (94.8) | 30.3 (86.5) | 26.1 (79.0) | 13.9 (57.0) | 4.4 (39.9) | 4.4 (39.9) | 34.9 (94.8) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −22.5 (−8.5) | −22.8 (−9.0) | −20.1 (−4.2) | −11.6 (11.1) | −0.6 (30.9) | 10.4 (50.7) | 15.8 (60.4) | 13.7 (56.7) | 6.8 (44.2) | −2.9 (26.8) | −13.2 (8.2) | −20.1 (−4.2) | −5.6 (21.9) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −26.6 (−15.9) | −27.0 (−16.6) | −24.6 (−12.3) | −16.4 (2.5) | −4.5 (23.9) | 5.9 (42.6) | 11.2 (52.2) | 9.6 (49.3) | 3.6 (38.5) | −5.9 (21.4) | −17.1 (1.2) | −24.1 (−11.4) | −9.7 (14.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −30.7 (−23.3) | −31.3 (−24.3) | −29.1 (−20.4) | −21.2 (−6.2) | −8.5 (16.7) | 1.4 (34.5) | 6.5 (43.7) | 5.4 (41.7) | 0.3 (32.5) | −9.0 (15.8) | −21.0 (−5.8) | −28.1 (−18.6) | −13.8 (7.2) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −47.8 (−54.0) | −50.0 (−58.0) | −48.9 (−56.0) | −43.9 (−47.0) | −31.1 (−24.0) | −15.0 (5.0) | −0.8 (30.6) | −4.4 (24.1) | −20.0 (−4.0) | −35.4 (−31.7) | −41.1 (−42.0) | −45.0 (−49.0) | −50.0 (−58.0) |
| Record low wind chill | −64.3 | −64.4 | −65.0 | −54.4 | −39.7 | −15.6 | −5.9 | −11.8 | −22.9 | −46.5 | −54.1 | −61.5 | −65.0 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 9.2 (0.36) | 7.0 (0.28) | 9.3 (0.37) | 7.9 (0.31) | 14.5 (0.57) | 17.4 (0.69) | 45.2 (1.78) | 42.3 (1.67) | 35.5 (1.40) | 23.3 (0.92) | 10.9 (0.43) | 10.6 (0.42) | 233.1 (9.18) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.1 (0.00) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.00) | 4.3 (0.17) | 14.6 (0.57) | 44.4 (1.75) | 44.9 (1.77) | 31.4 (1.24) | 4.7 (0.19) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 144.5 (5.69) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 19.6 (7.7) | 16.3 (6.4) | 19.4 (7.6) | 18.2 (7.2) | 16.2 (6.4) | 2.1 (0.8) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.2 (0.1) | 7.7 (3.0) | 35.0 (13.8) | 25.5 (10.0) | 21.9 (8.6) | 182.1 (71.7) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 9.7 | 8.7 | 10.1 | 7.7 | 8.5 | 8.3 | 11.8 | 13.0 | 13.0 | 14.5 | 10.6 | 10.3 | 126.2 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.2 | 1.9 | 6.8 | 11.5 | 13.1 | 10.5 | 2.3 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 46.4 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 10.5 | 10.1 | 11.6 | 9.5 | 7.2 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.2 | 3.7 | 14.5 | 13.4 | 11.6 | 93.6 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST) | 76.7 | 75.1 | 77.5 | 82.3 | 83.1 | 70.2 | 64.8 | 69.8 | 75.5 | 84.7 | 80.9 | 77.8 | 76.5 |
| Average dew point °C (°F) | −30.6 (−23.1) | −31.3 (−24.3) | −30.2 (−22.4) | −20.8 (−5.4) | −7.5 (18.5) | 0.8 (33.4) | 5.5 (41.9) | 4.6 (40.3) | −0.3 (31.5) | −8.3 (17.1) | −21.5 (−6.7) | −29.7 (−21.5) | −14.1 (6.6) |
| Mean monthly sunshine hours | 17.8 | 77.3 | 160.3 | 233.3 | 246.7 | 375.0 | 341.6 | 207.7 | 91.1 | 51.2 | 19.6 | 0.2 | 1,821.7 |
| Percent possible sunshine | 17.7 | 35.5 | 44.4 | 49.6 | 38.7 | 52.1 | 48.5 | 38.5 | 22.8 | 17.6 | 12.7 | 0.7 | 31.6 |
| Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (rain/rain days, snow/snow days, humidex, wind chill, humidity 1981–2010) Canadian Climate Normals 1981–2010 (dew point 1951–1980) ||||||||||||||
Climate data for Rankin Inlet (Rankin Inlet Airport) WMO ID: 71083; coordinates 62°49′N 92°07′W﻿ / ﻿62.817°N 92.117°W﻿ / 62.817; -92.117﻿ (Rankin Inlet Airport); elevation: 32.3 m (106 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1981–present :
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high humidex | −3.0 | −3.6 | 1.1 | 2.5 | 13.4 | 27.5 | 32.2 | 31.8 | 23.4 | 12.7 | 1.4 | 0.8 | 32.2 |
| Record high °C (°F) | −2.5 (27.5) | −3.4 (25.9) | 1.3 (34.3) | 3.4 (38.1) | 14.1 (57.4) | 26.8 (80.2) | 28.9 (84.0) | 30.5 (86.9) | 21.0 (69.8) | 13.3 (55.9) | 1.5 (34.7) | 0.9 (33.6) | 30.5 (86.9) |
| Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | −26.6 (−15.9) | −25.8 (−14.4) | −20.3 (−4.5) | −11.1 (12.0) | −2.2 (28.0) | 8.4 (47.1) | 15.2 (59.4) | 13.5 (56.3) | 6.7 (44.1) | −1.4 (29.5) | −12.5 (9.5) | −20.7 (−5.3) | −6.4 (20.5) |
| Daily mean °C (°F) | −30.1 (−22.2) | −29.5 (−21.1) | −24.5 (−12.1) | −15.5 (4.1) | −5.5 (22.1) | 4.6 (40.3) | 10.9 (51.6) | 10.1 (50.2) | 4.2 (39.6) | −4.6 (23.7) | −17.0 (1.4) | −25.7 (−14.3) | −10.0 (14.0) |
| Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | −33.6 (−28.5) | −33.2 (−27.8) | −28.8 (−19.8) | −19.9 (−3.8) | −8.7 (16.3) | 0.8 (33.4) | 6.6 (43.9) | 6.7 (44.1) | 1.6 (34.9) | −6.6 (20.1) | −20.3 (−4.5) | −28.2 (−18.8) | −13.6 (7.5) |
| Record low °C (°F) | −46.1 (−51.0) | −49.8 (−57.6) | −43.4 (−46.1) | −36.1 (−33.0) | −24.6 (−12.3) | −9.4 (15.1) | −1.9 (28.6) | −1.4 (29.5) | −9.0 (15.8) | −27.4 (−17.3) | −36.8 (−34.2) | −43.6 (−46.5) | −49.8 (−57.6) |
| Record low wind chill | −66.8 | −70.5 | −64.4 | −53.6 | −37.8 | −17.6 | −5.3 | −8.8 | −18.1 | −42.7 | −55.3 | −62.4 | −70.5 |
| Average precipitation mm (inches) | 9.6 (0.38) | 9.2 (0.36) | 12.3 (0.48) | 20.6 (0.81) | 21.0 (0.83) | 22.1 (0.87) | 43.7 (1.72) | 51.6 (2.03) | 47.3 (1.86) | 40.1 (1.58) | 22.5 (0.89) | 16.1 (0.63) | 315.9 (12.44) |
| Average rainfall mm (inches) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 1.1 (0.04) | 7.3 (0.29) | 19.6 (0.77) | 43.5 (1.71) | 51.6 (2.03) | 44.7 (1.76) | 14.7 (0.58) | 0.5 (0.02) | 0.1 (0.00) | 183.2 (7.21) |
| Average snowfall cm (inches) | 9.8 (3.9) | 9.2 (3.6) | 12.3 (4.8) | 20.0 (7.9) | 14.0 (5.5) | 2.2 (0.9) | 0.1 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 2.6 (1.0) | 25.4 (10.0) | 22.5 (8.9) | 16.5 (6.5) | 134.5 (53.0) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 7.5 | 6.7 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 8.6 | 7.1 | 10.5 | 12.6 | 12.7 | 14.9 | 12.9 | 10.8 | 120.8 |
| Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm) | 0.08 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 0.75 | 2.6 | 6.0 | 10.5 | 12.6 | 10.9 | 4.4 | 0.50 | 0.17 | 48.6 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm) | 7.6 | 6.8 | 8.5 | 7.7 | 6.9 | 1.5 | 0.04 | 0.04 | 2.7 | 12.3 | 12.9 | 10.8 | 77.8 |
| Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST) | 68.2 | 68.7 | 71.9 | 78.1 | 81.0 | 70.6 | 65.7 | 71.2 | 74.6 | 84.2 | 79.2 | 72.4 | 73.8 |
| Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada Canadian Climate Normals 1991–2020 ||||||||||||||