Residents of Arviat, Nunavut, should brace for a wet and windy start to the week. Environment Canada has issued a Yellow Warning for Rainfall for the community on the western shore of Hudson Bay, with heavy rain expected to begin Monday evening and last into Tuesday morning.
The weather agency says 20 to 40 mm of rain could fall along the Kivalliq coast, with 10 to 20 mm possible just tonight. There is also a risk of thunderstorms late Monday evening and after midnight, along with fog that may reduce visibility. Wind gusts could reach 70 km/h before easing overnight.
At midday Monday, conditions at Arviat Airport were already foggy, with visibility down to 0.8 km. The temperature sat at 0.8°C and humidity was 100 per cent, with winds from the east-northeast at 33 km/h.
The rain is expected to taper off through the day Tuesday, but the rest of the week won’t bring much relief. The forecast calls for a mix of sun, cloud, and scattered showers right through Saturday. Temperatures will stay near seasonal norms, ranging from about 2°C on Monday to 10°C by Thursday.
Heavy rain can be especially challenging in Arviat, a community of about 2,800 people. The hamlet has dealt with flooding in the past as thawing permafrost affects drainage. The Nunavut Climate Change Centre notes that residents have come together on drainage projects to protect streets and homes from such weather.
People with outdoor plans early this week should keep an eye on the sky and be ready for changing conditions. The rain and wind may ease by Tuesday, but the risk of showers will stick around for days.
