Is Fort McMurray sunnier than Yellowknife?

They are nearly tied: Fort McMurray gets about 2,171 hours of sunshine a year and Yellowknife about 2,150.

Which is warmer, Fort McMurray or Yellowknife?

Fort McMurray is warmer across the year: average daytime highs of 6°C (43°F) versus -2°C.

Which is better in winter (November–February), Fort McMurray or Yellowknife?

They are close in the November–February window: Fort McMurray averages 0/100 (about -9°C days), Yellowknife 0/100 (about -22°C).

Fort McMurray vs Yellowknife: which is sunnier?

🇨🇦 Canada vs 🇨🇦 Canada · 671 km apart · long-term climate normals (NASA POWER, 2001–2020)

Fort McMurray and Yellowknife are virtually tied for annual sunshine — about 2,171 vs 2,150 hours a year. Fort McMurray has the higher Sunshine Score in 4 of 12 months, Yellowknife in 1 (7 within 2 points).

Scores are the 0–100 Sunshine Score — sunshine, daytime warmth and dryness in one number, per month.

At a glance

	Fort McMurray	Yellowknife
Sunshine hours / year	2,171	2,150
Sunniest month	August (78/100)	July (80/100)
Nov–Feb average score	0/100	0/100
Jun–Aug average score	76/100	72/100
Rain / year	606 mm	411 mm
Peak midday UV	5 (moderate)	4 (moderate)

Fort McMurray vs Yellowknife month by month

Month	Sunshine Score		Day high °C		Rain mm
Month	Fort McMurray	Yellowknife	Fort McMurray	Yellowknife	Fort McMurray	Yellowknife
January	0	0	-12°	-26°	29	21
February	0	0	-10°	-22°	24	14
March	0	0	-4°	-14°	35	20
April	0	0	7°	-2°	44	19
May	54	14	16°	10°	59	44
June	73	68	21°	18°	98	55
July	76	80	23°	21°	86	62
August	78	68	21°	18°	71	56
September	47	14	15°	10°	57	47
October	0	0	6°	-2°	43	29
November	0	0	-4°	-17°	31	25
December	0	0	-11°	-24°	29	19

The sunnier month by month: Jan even · Feb even · Mar even · Apr even · May Fort McMurray · Jun Fort McMurray · Jul Yellowknife · Aug Fort McMurray · Sep Fort McMurray · Oct even · Nov even · Dec even.

When to pick which

November–February: too close to call — Fort McMurray averages 0/100, Yellowknife 0/100. Fort McMurray is the warmer, around -9°C daytime highs vs -22°C. See the winter sun ranking.
March–May: Fort McMurray (average score 18/100 vs 5). Fort McMurray is the warmer, around 6°C daytime highs vs -2°C.
June–August: Fort McMurray (average score 76/100 vs 72). Fort McMurray is the warmer, around 22°C daytime highs vs 19°C.
September–October: Fort McMurray (average score 24/100 vs 7). Fort McMurray is the warmer, around 11°C daytime highs vs 4°C.

Full month-by-month guides: Fort McMurray weather by month · Yellowknife weather by month · Best time to visit Canada.

More comparisons: Fort McMurray vs Edmonton · Fort McMurray vs Saskatoon · Fort McMurray vs Grande Prairie · Yellowknife vs Grande Prairie · Yellowknife vs Fort Saint John · all head-to-heads