Yukon College Yukon Government

Yukon Cold Climate

Thanks to its predictable cold climate, Yukon is very well-positioned as a base for cold climate research. Yukon winters are long, dry and consistently cold with generally clear skies and calm winds. Historical climate data is available for most Yukon communities and several additional stations. Climate normals for a thirty-year period (1971-2000) are shown below for Whitehorse, Mayo and Old Crow.

Whitehorse, 60° 42' N  135° 04' W / 706 m

Climate Normals, 1971 – 2000 November January March
Daily average temperature -9.4 C° -17.7 C° -6.6 C°
Daily maximum temperature -5.8 C° -13.3 C° -0.8 C°
Daily minimum temperature -13 C° -22 C° -12.3 C°
Bright sunshine (total hours) 43.2 46.7 161.2
Daily hours of daylight (avg) 7.5 6 11.5
Wind speed (km/hr) 14.1 12.9 12.7

Mayo, 63° 37' N  135° 52' W / 504 m

Climate Normals, 1971 – 2000 November January March
Daily average temperature -15.9 C° -25.7 C° -9.6 C°
Daily maximum temperature -11.2 C° -20.5 C° -2.8 C°
Daily minimum temperature -20.5 C° -31 C° -16.4 C°
Bright sunshine (total hours) n/a n/a n/a
Daily hours of daylight (avg) 6.5 5.5 11.5
Wind speed (km/hr) 5.9 4.5 9.1

Old Crow, 67° 34' N  139° 5' W / 251 m

Climate Normals, 1971 – 2000 November January March
Daily average temperature -23.2 C° -31.1 C° -21.7 C°
Daily maximum temperature -19.1 C° -26.7 C° -15.2 C°
Daily minimum temperature -27.5 C° -35.7 C° -28.1 C°
Bright sunshine (total hours) n/a n/a n/a
Daily hours of daylight (avg) 5 3 11.5
Wind speed (km/hr) n/a n/a n/a

Yukon Cold Climate Innovation Centre

Yukon Cold Climate Success Stories

Improvements of Building Industry Techniques


Over the past decade, a cadre of Yukon engineers, architects, carpenters and other building industry professionals have evolved construction techniques that are resulting in significant energy improvements. Contact Yukon Housing and the Energy Solutions Centre for more information.