Northwest Territories

Hay River Expects Brief Warming Trend Following Cold Weekend

By

Emma Kelly
April 3, 2026 8:48 am

Residents in Hay River, Northwest Territories, should prepare for a chilly weekend before seeing a shift toward warmer weather early next week. According to Environment Canada, while no weather alerts are currently in effect, the community is experiencing cold conditions that will persist through the weekend.

As of 7:00 AM MDT on Friday, April 3, 2026, temperatures at the Hay River/Merlyn Carter Airport were recorded at -22.2°C with a wind chill of -25. Forecasters expect the cold to continue Friday night with a low of -17°C and a wind chill reaching -24 overnight. Saturday will remain cold, with a predicted high of -6°C and morning wind chill values near -24.

Relief from the cold is expected to arrive on Monday, April 6, 2026. The forecast shows sunny skies and a high of +1°C, making it the warmest day in the current forecast period. This warming trend is notable for the community of 3,169, especially as The Old Farmer’s Almanac has predicted cooler-than-normal temperatures for the Northwest Territories throughout this spring.

While temperatures will climb slightly above freezing early next week, residents are encouraged to continue dressing warmly for outdoor activities. The transition to milder weather follows a period of extreme winter conditions typical of the Town of Hay River, which has historically faced significant challenges during the transition between seasons.

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