On January 17, 2026, Environment and Climate Change Canada updated an Extreme Cold Warning for Rankin Inlet, Nunavut, as wind chill values reached a dangerous −52 °C. The alert bulletin from Environment Canada warned that frostbite can develop on exposed skin within two to five minutes under these extreme wind‑chill conditions.
The warning was expanded to include the communities of Igloolik and Sanirajak because a large mass of Arctic air moved through the region. Environment Canada observations at Rankin Inlet Airport recorded northwest winds of about 39 km/h with blowing snow, producing severely reduced visibility and near‑blizzard conditions.
Hamlet officials said they were monitoring the community utilidor (water) system to prevent pipes from freezing, noting that deep freezes have caused service disruptions for residents in past winters. People were urged to stay indoors and to keep pets inside while high winds and low temperatures persist.
The extreme cold can also cause mechanical issues for aircraft and ground equipment, which may lead to flight delays at the regional hub. While Rankin Inlet schools generally remain open during cold snaps, officials said they may close them if visibility or road conditions make travel unsafe.
