Richardson Mountains Mountains
Arctic mountain range forming Yukon–NWT border region
The Richardson Mountains run along northern Canada's sub‑Arctic margin. Remote tundra, river valleys and long daylight hours in summer attract experienced backcountry travellers and wildlife watchers.
Richardson Mountains at a Glance#
Address: Richardson Mountains, northern Northwest Territories, Canada (remote)
Tips for Visiting Richardson Mountains#
- Treat the Richardson Mountains as a true wilderness destination-logistics require either a chartered aircraft or long overland/river travel and experienced guides, not casual day trips.
- Plan for very limited services and rapidly changing weather; carry means of emergency communication and allow extra days in your itinerary for weather delays or travel difficulties.
- If you're considering a mountaineering or river approach, book with outfitters who operate regularly in the Northwest Territories and confirm permit and wildlife‑safety requirements in advance.
Best Time to Visit Richardson Mountains#
Visit in the short summer months for the safest, most accessible conditions and daylight for exploration.
Short summer (best)
June-August · 5-15°C
The brief thaw offers the most accessible conditions for hiking and viewing the rugged Arctic landscape; services and access are at their peak.
Winter
November-March · -40 to -10°C
Extremely cold, dark and remote with severe conditions that make travel difficult and often unsafe for standard visitors.
Weather & Climate near Richardson Mountains#
Climate
Richardson Mountains's climate is classified as Subarctic (Dry Summer) - Subarctic (Dry Summer) climate with cool summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -31°C to 17°C. Semi-arid with limited rainfall.
Air Quality:
AQI 15
Good
Temperature & Rainfall
Temperature Range
17°
Warmest Month
-31°
Coldest Month
Monthly Conditions
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -31° - -23° | -36° | 13 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -28° - -21° | -33° | 12 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -27° - -19° | -32° | 12 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | -19° - -10° | -22° | 10 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | -7° - 2° | -7° | 19 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 4° - 13° | 6° | 25 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 8° - 17° | 12° | 41 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 5° - 13° | 7° | 46 mm | - | - | 3.6 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | -1° - 5° | -2° | 31 mm | - | - | 3.8 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | -12° - -6° | -15° | 31 mm | - | - | 3.5 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -23° - -17° | -28° | 20 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -26° - -19° | -31° | 16 mm | - | - | 3.4 m/s | - | - |