Residents in Arviat, Nunavut, are facing dangerously cold temperatures and extreme wind chills this week after weather officials lowered the risk of heavy snow. According to Environment Canada, wind chills are expected to reach -46°C on the afternoon of Monday, February 16, 2026. These conditions are severe enough that frostbite on exposed skin can occur in just a few minutes.
The updated forecast shows that the threat of a major snowstorm has passed, with only a 30 to 60 per cent chance of light flurries before skies clear on Monday night. However, the temperature is expected to drop significantly below the usual February average of -31°C. The community is expected to see a low of -39°C by the night of Tuesday, February 17, 2026.
Extreme cold in Arviat has historically caused major problems for local buildings, including frozen and burst pipes. In the past, these infrastructure issues have forced the Arviat Health Centre to limit its operations to emergency services only. Residents are encouraged to monitor their heating systems and check on neighbours to ensure everyone stays safe during the cold snap.
Maintaining heating security is vital because the Nunavut Housing Corporation supplies heat to many homes in the community through a central district system. Local maintenance teams, including those with the Arviat Housing Association, work to keep these systems running to prevent property damage and home floods during periods of intense cold.
