Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, is set to enjoy a stretch of sunny and warm weather through Friday, with temperatures climbing well above the seasonal norm. Environment Canada forecasts highs of 22°C on both Thursday and Friday, about 7°C warmer than the typical early August high of 15°C.
The forecast calls for sunny skies and a southeast wind at 20 km/h on Thursday, with a moderate UV index of 3. Friday will also be sunny with a high of 22°C. The warmth comes as a welcome break for the Arctic hamlet of about 937 people, known for its cooler summer averages. The current conditions at Tuktoyaktuk Airport were mostly cloudy and 15°C at 2:00 PM MDT on Wednesday.
While unusual for this time of year, the forecast is still well short of the community’s all-time heat. Tuktoyaktuk reached 30.4°C on July 2, 1998, and hit 29.9°C during an Arctic heat wave on July 4, 2022. More typically, August brings highs of just 12-13°C and lows around 6°C, along with substantial precipitation, averaging about 33 mm for the month.
The warm days will also benefit from the region’s long daylight hours. With sunrise at 5:03 AM and sunset not until 12:51 AM, residents have plenty of time to get outside and enjoy the mild conditions. The weather is expected to shift by the weekend, with cloudier skies and a chance of showers arriving Saturday, bringing temperatures back toward normal.
For updates on the forecast, check the Environment Canada website.
