Igloolik, Nunavut is in for an unusually warm and sunny week, with temperatures climbing to 14°C by Wednesday, well above the seasonal normal of 6°C for late August. Environment Canada says no weather alerts are in effect, making it a good stretch for outdoor plans in the Arctic community.
The week starts with mainly sunny skies on Monday. Tuesday through Thursday will be sunny or mainly sunny, with daytime highs reaching 12°C to 14°C. Overnight lows will dip to between 5°C and 8°C under clear skies.
According to Environment Canada, this is about 4 to 6 degrees above the normal high of 6°C for the period. The community has a polar climate, with nine months of the year averaging below freezing, so a week like this stands out for residents.
The warm spell is part of a broader trend in the High Arctic. Over the past century, the Arctic has warmed at twice the rate of the rest of the world, with regional increases of 1 to 3°C reported across Nunavut. This affects everything from permafrost to sea ice and traditional hunting practices.
With no alerts in effect and sunny skies dominating, residents of this hamlet of about 2,000 people have a rare opportunity to enjoy extended outdoor time before the return of colder weather.
