Yellowknife in September

In September, Yellowknife averages 11°C (52°F) during the day and 6°C (42°F) at night, with frequent rain — about 14 days of the month see precipitation (28 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cool — bring a jacket for evenings. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

September is one of the wetter and less comfortable months in Yellowknife. If your dates are flexible, consider a different time of year.

11°C
Avg high
6°C
Avg low
14
Rain days
28 mm
Rainfall

How September compares to the rest of the year in Yellowknife

4th
warmest month of the 12
3rd
wettest month of the 12
10%
of yearly rainfall falls in September
13 h 0 min
daylight on the 15th

September is in the middle of the year for warmth in Yellowknife (4th of 12) and one of the wettest months (3rd of 12). Daytime temperature runs 11°C above the annual average (0°C). September runs 7°C cooler than August (18°C) and cools 9°C in October (2°C).

September sunrise & sunset in Yellowknife

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
7:02 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
8:02 PM
Day length
13 h 0 min

Times shown for Yellowknife local time (America/Yellowknife), calculated for the 15th of September. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Yellowknife — September

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of September, in Yellowknife's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
6:02 AM – 6:42 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
6:42 AM – 7:42 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
7:22 PM – 8:22 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
8:22 PM – 9:02 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Poor
Core barely rises (or hasn't yet returned for the season). Consider a different month.
Aurora visibility
Good
Yellowknife is auroral-friendly this month; check 3-day Kp forecasts and head somewhere dark when activity spikes.

📅 When to book — Yellowknife in September

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on September's tier (Shoulder) and Yellowknife's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.

Crowds & pricing — September in Yellowknife

Shoulder

Yellowknife is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Sun & mosquito risk — September in Yellowknife

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
5.2
Moderate
Use SPF 15-30 for prolonged outdoor exposure; sunglasses recommended at peak hours.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●●○○○
Low
Mosquitoes present but manageable. Pack repellent (DEET 10-20%) for evenings near water.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

Yellowknife in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January -21°C / -5°F -26°C / -15°F 15 mm 12
February -22°C / -7°F -28°C / -19°F 7 mm 9
March -12°C / 10°F -20°C / -3°F 12 mm 9
April -2°C / 28°F -10°C / 14°F 12 mm 9
May 11°C / 51°F 1°C / 34°F 25 mm 10
June 19°C / 65°F 9°C / 49°F 33 mm 13
July 21°C / 70°F 13°C / 56°F 40 mm 12
August 18°C / 65°F 12°C / 53°F 54 mm 18
September 11°C / 52°F 6°C / 42°F 28 mm 14
October 2°C / 36°F -2°C / 29°F 25 mm 15
November -10°C / 15°F -15°C / 4°F 20 mm 12
December -18°C / -1°F -24°C / -12°F 14 mm 9

Other cities with similar September weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Yellowknife in September →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Yellowknife in September?

In September, Yellowknife averages a high of 11°C (52°F) and a low of 6°C (42°F) — generally cool.

Does it rain a lot in Yellowknife in September?

September can be fairly wet in Yellowknife, with about 14 rainy days on average.

Is September a good time to visit Yellowknife?

September is cool but on the rainy side. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cool weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Yellowknife in September?

Pack a warm jacket and layers, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full September packing list for Yellowknife for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Yellowknife on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.