Weather Information

Weather tends to be a main topic the world over and the extreme climate of northern Canada is no exception. The Mackenzie Mountain climate in South Nahanni in the NWT sports highly variable and exciting mountain weather. The sun might be shining down on base camp while you are hovering in your rain gear eight valleys over and someone else is pushing through snow another 75 air miles further on. 

If dealing with weather while having both feet firmly anchored to rocky Mackenzie Mountains ground seems severe enough, flying takes this to a whole new set of challenges, which can impact your life much more.  The helicopter and small bush planes fly via sight, not instruments.  If the pilot can't see in fog, rain, snow or clouds he can't guide his aircraft safely through the mountains.  It is much like sticking your face into a bag of cotton candy.  Visibility is zero and a crash into the next mountain imminent.  Going over the clouds is only an option if the bush plane is equipped with instruments (a helicopter is never allowed to fly over the clouds).  Our flights between Whitehorse and Base camp do offer this modern convenience of IFR flying and more details may be found in Travel Information.

The table below gives you a good indication of averages and with it a general direction as to what to expect when coming on a hunting trip with us. As usual, remember the word 'average' means that actual temperatures and precipitation will go far above and below the average mark. You can therefore expect hot days in July that go up to 30 degrees Celsius (or into the high 80's Fahrenheit), even if the average high is only 23 degree Celsius (70 F).

A detailed equipment list, specific to your type of hunt and time of year, will be sent to you before you come on a hunting trip with us in the South Nahanni mountains. It is best though to be open minded and prepared for the adventures of our quirky mountain weather. Expect the unexpected: Snow or shorts in July, T-shirts or fur caps in October...!

Current Weather - Fort Simpson

Average precipitation & temperatures in South Nahanni