Environment Canada issued a blizzard warning for Igloolik, Nunavut, on March 3, 2026, as a severe storm is expected to bring dangerous conditions to the community. The weather office says residents should prepare for near-zero visibility and extreme cold starting Wednesday morning, March 4, 2026.
The storm is expected to bring northwesterly wind gusts of up to 70 km/h, which will cause snow to blow and make it very difficult to see. Wind chills are forecast to reach -55°C by Thursday morning, March 5, 2026, which can cause frostbite on exposed skin in just a few minutes.
Travel in the community and flights at the Igloolik Airport are likely to be disrupted or cancelled due to the whiteout conditions. Residents are encouraged to stay indoors, postpone any hunting trips on the sea ice, and check on vulnerable neighbours during the storm.
While some nearby areas have an extreme cold threshold of -50°C, the limit for Igloolik is -55°C because of local climate differences. These storms often lead to the closure of local offices and community events until the weather improves, which is expected to happen by Thursday morning as the winds slow down.
