Some NWT communities are under a heat warning this week, with temperatures expected to reach 30C in some arctic regions.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) has issued a warning for Aklavik, Inuvik, Fort Good Hope, Norman Wells, Tulita, Fort McPherson, Tsygehcic and surrounding areas.
Although Natalie Hassell – warning preparedness meteorologist at the ECCC – said it was more common for heatwaves to occur in southern NWT communities, it was not unheard of for warmer temperatures to occur in the Arctic.
A record of 38 C in Siberia in 2020 has raised concerns about extreme weather and human-induced climate warming.
In the Northwest Territories, a “heat warning program” has only been in place since 2017.
In 2017, no heat warnings were issued on the territory.
In 2018, Hasell said there were “some” heat warnings.
In 2019, there were warnings issued for communities in the South Slave and parts of the Dehcho area from July 17 to 25, but in 2020 heat warnings extended as far north as Sax Harbor, Ulukhaktok, Paulatuk, Tuktoyaktuk, Aklavik and Inuvik , in addition to Communities in the Tłı̨chǫ Region and Southern Slavery.
In 2021, Hazell said the heat dome originating in British Columbia affected the entire country and all communities in the territory.
Hazell said the data showed there was precedent for increased temperatures in the territory’s northern communities and said he suspected climate change was a “significant” factor.
Hazel also pointed to last year’s heat dome and said it was due to climate change and human activity, although she acknowledged that natural changes are also a factor.
“We also know that areas in the north are affected by climate change much more than other parts of the country,” she said. “So maybe climate change is playing a bigger role, and we’re seeing that with these warmer temperatures.”
A heat dome over the region
Dave Phillips is a Senior Climatologist at ECCC.
He said what matters is the length of the heat warnings.
“One day events happen all the time, but to have them for a pattern that settles and locks and doesn’t move, then that’s disturbing,” Phillips said.
He pointed to Norman Wells as an example, saying the Sahtu community could see seven straight days “if not more” of temperatures above 30C.
“I don’t think there’s been a place in Canada this summer that can say it’s had more than five days above 30 degrees.”
For a heat warning to be triggered, Phillips said there needs to be two consecutive days above 28 degrees and 13 degrees at night.
Phillips said the current northern heat wave is the same weather feature as last year’s historic heat dome, which “created some of the most destructive and deadly weather conditions in Canadian history.”
“That dome is now north of the Arctic Circle and it’s right over … Inuvik, Aklavik and Norman Wells,” he said, adding that the dome is also over parts of the Yukon.
Phillips said that although high temperatures are not caused by global warming, human activity does increase extreme weather.
“Weather comes from so many different causes, factors and sources, and to say it’s caused by climate change is the wrong answer,” Phillips said. “Did it make it worse? Do.”
Keeping cool
In Inuvik on Monday, temperatures reached 31 C. To cool off, residents went to the lake, drank cold drinks and stayed near fans when possible.
One resident, Marshall Brown, said he was “in the most vegetative state possible.”
Marshall Brown lives in Inuvik. To beat the heat, he says he tries to “relax as much as possible.” (Tiana Bain)
Brown said there are no air conditioners available for purchase anywhere in the city, so he tries to “relax as much as possible.”
The NWT Department of Health and Human Services suggests wearing loose clothing, keeping hydrated, closing curtains to avoid the sun, taking cool showers and visiting air-conditioned buildings when possible.
The department reminds residents not to leave children or pets in parked cars and to check frequently on young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses who are at higher risk of adverse health effects.
Both Hazell and Phillips warned that air quality is worse in some areas because of nearby wildfires.
“The combination of smoke and heat is particularly stressful,” Hassell said, adding that the combination makes it even more important for at-risk groups to take precautions.
Symptoms of severe heat illness include dizziness, nausea, headache, extreme thirst, and decreased urination. Anyone who feels unwell due to extreme heat should seek medical attention.
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