Climate

Although situated in the northern Yukon above the 60th parallel, Whitehorse has a comfortable year-round climate, classified as "dry subarctic". Surprisingly, it has been ranked as having one of the most comfortable climates in Canada!

In summer months, the temperature exceeds 20 degrees C with the average daytime temperature in the high teens.  There are occasions of exceeding 30 degrees C, and the record high temperature recorded in the Yukon was 34.4 degrees C in June 1969.  There is low humidity in Whitehorse, YT, and it boasts some of the freshest, cleanest air in the world.

The longest day of the year on June 21^st (Summer Solstice) has 21 hours of sunlight, with no complete darkness during the peak summer period in late June and early July.

In winter months, the region has milder temperatures than expected, with the average low in January being -18C, with occasional drops to -40 degrees C. The record low temperature recorded in the Yukon was -52.2 degrees C in January 1947. Due to its dry climate, Whitehorse has little precipitation, with an annual snowfall of 145cm, and rainfall of 163mm.

Whitehorse does not experience 24 hour darkness during the winter months. On December 21^st (Winter Solstice) there is approximately 5.5 hours of daylight.