Residents in Arviat, Nunavut, are facing dangerous winter weather on February 11, 2026, after an overnight low of about −33.8°C with wind chill values near −44. That extreme cold combined with strong winds creates a very high risk of frostbite for anyone who goes outside.
Environment Canada is forecasting winds gusting to about 60 km/h with snow and blowing snow that can reduce visibility to near zero. Those blowing-snow and whiteout conditions make travel on the sea ice hazardous for hunters and may ground or disrupt flights at Arviat Airport (CYEK), threatening regular deliveries and medical transfers.
Health guidance from Canada.ca notes that at wind chill values between −40 and −47°C, exposed skin can freeze in 5 to 10 minutes; sustained winds over 50 km/h can make freezing occur even faster. Because of that, residents are being urged to stay indoors as much as possible, limit time outside, and dress in warm layers with a wind-resistant outer layer if they must go out.
Environment Canada’s forecast indicates the hazardous conditions are expected to persist through February 16, 2026. As a predominantly fly-in community, Arviat depends on air service for regular food deliveries and medical evacuations, so prolonged blowing snow and strong winds could disrupt supplies and emergency transports.
Climate data show the observed temperatures are well below typical February averages for Arviat (around −26°C), underscoring how unusually cold this event is for the season.
