This is the Arctic, which is much colder on average than most of the populated regions of the world. Nunavut is an enormous territory, so the weather varies widely from place to place. The average temperature in Kugluktuk is the warmest in Nunavut, sometimes rising to 30°C in the summer and ranging from -15°C to -40°C in the winter. The coldest community in Nunavut is Grise Fiord, where summer temperatures can sometimes rise above freezing to 5°C and winter temperatures frequently drop to -50°C. As most of the Arctic is a polar desert, long stretches of cloudless days without precipitation are common.

Spring is from late March until June, when the sun shines for around 18 hours per day, and temperatures are more consistent throughout the territory, with average daytime highs between -20°C and -10°C. The cool days of spring in Nunavut have plenty of sunshine. The sunlight reflected off the snow and ice can cause severe sunburn, so even though it may feel cold, using sunscreen lotion is advisable. Dressing in warm layers is advised. You will need wind-proof clothing, boots, gloves, hat, and a scarf.

*The floe edge (Sinaaq in Inuktitut) is a very special place to be in the spring. A floe is a flat chunk of floating sea ice up to 10km wide, and the floe edge is where the open sea meets the frozen sea. In springtime, this becomes one of the most dramatic and dynamic ecosystems on Earth, where arctic wildlife including walruses, seals, polar bears, narwhals, bowhead and beluga whales, gathers in abundance.

Summer begins in June, when the snowfall comes to an end. By mid-July, the sea ice has broken up and melted away, temperatures rise, and days become longer. At the summer solstice, the sun shines for 21 hours in Iqaluit with a few hours of beautiful twilight around midnight. The further north you go above the Arctic Circle, the greater number of days that have complete 24-hour sunshine. Depending on the community, the sun never completely sets beneath the horizon for up to four months of the year. However, more sun doesn't mean warmer weather. The most northerly communities will barely see temperatures above freezing in the middle of the summer. Whereas, Iqaluit sees an average temperature of 15C in the summer. The little rainfall that Nunavut receives annually usually falls from July to early September. Precipitation in Nunavut tends to fall sideways, as it is almost always accompanied by winds of 30-60 kph (19-37 mph). In the summer, you will need a light jacket, wind-proof clothing, and practical shoes as there are no sidewalks and the ground is uneven.

Winter in Nunavut begins in September when snow falls until June, and arctic blizzards are a common occurrence. Visitors should be prepared for cold temperatures and short days. On the shortest day in the Nunavut capital of Iqaluit, the sun rises and sets within four hours. The further north you go, the shorter the winter days get. Communities north of the Arctic Circle don't see the sun at all for stretches at a time, although the sky may lighten a bit on the southern horizon at midday. In December, the capital sees an average temperature of -30 degrees Celsius. The low humidity in Nunavut helps reduce the impact of the cold, making a -20°C day feel more like -5°C in southern Canada. Winds, however, can cause frostbite, so it is wise to have a parka with fur around its hood for wintertime visits. Many communities in Nunavut have steady average winds of 15-20 kph (9-12 mph) daily. Some communities are notorious for occasional extreme winds that can gust to 100 kph (62 mph). The windchill factor is often more significant than the actual air temperature. It is important that you have warm clothing in winter, especially if you will be spending a lot of time outside – This should include a parka rated at least -40C, hat, gloves, and scarf.

To find the weather forecast for any community of Nunavut, check the Environment Canada website.