Geography and Climate
Geography
Dawson City is located 530 kilometers north of Whitehorse along the majestic Klondike Highway. Seasonally, you can also get to Dawson via the Top of the World Highway from Tok, Alaska, a distance of 300 kilometers: the highway closes during the winter months. It is also 736 kilometers along the Dempster Highway, a spectacular, unpaved two-lane highway south-west of Inuvik, Northwest Territories.
Situated on a small flood plain at the confluence of the Klondike and Yukon rivers, Dawson City is surrounded by the rivers and round-shouldered hills, with alluring names such as King Solomon’s Dome, and Moosehide Hills, that extend from the region’s long ridge systems.
Gold nuggets in the creeks around Dawson City, notably Bonanza Creek of the Klondike Goldrush days, made Dawson famous and drove the illustrious gold rush of 1898. Before that, salmon, moose and caribou sustained the Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in; the people of the River.
Today, the fertile soil provides excellent opportunities for agriculture developments in the region.
Climate
Dawson is located at the northwestern extent of the Central Yukon Basin climate region where temperature variations can range from -50° Celsius in winter to +21.5° Celsius in the summer.
Summers in Dawson are warm, with continuous daylight during the month of June when the midnight sun brings with it many events and festivals.
Mean annual precipitation for the region ranges from 300-400 millimeters, much of which falls in summer showers.
An average of 90 frost-free days will keep you connected with your outdoor vegetable garden.
Winter in Dawson brings with it freeze-up of the Yukon River and has a wide range of temperatures. However, Dawson is well equipped for the low temperatures and cultural and recreational activities are plentiful despite (or due to!) the cold.
The winter in Dawson City is cold, no doubt, but with this comes an almost supernatural silence and a captivating landscape. You will not be sorry to stay a winter and graduate as a sourdough.
More Information?
- Yukon Geological Survey
Provides information on geoscience and related technical information for all areas of Yukon - Ecoregions of the Yukon Territory - Biophysical Properties of a Yukon Landscape
Publication of the Yukon Geological Survey provides an in-depth look at the physical and biological conditions in every part of the territory, and describes the major elements of each ecosystem - Environment Yukon
Provides information and detailed maps on wildlife, parks and recreation, air, soil, water and more - Environment Canada
Provides current weather conditions. - Energy, Mines and Resources
Provides information not only on mining, but agriculture, energy, forestry and more - The Department of Highways and Public Works
Responsible for ensuring safe and efficient public highways, airstrips, buildings and information systems