Behchokǫ̀, Northwest Territories – Residents of Behchokǫ̀ can breathe a little easier this week as the extreme cold warning that gripped the community for several days has finally been lifted. Environment Canada lifted the warning on March 28, 2026, after temperatures warmed significantly from the dangerously low wind chill values that had kept residents indoors just days earlier.
Four days ago, wind chill values approaching minus 50 degrees Celsius prompted Environment Canada to issue the Yellow-level extreme cold warning for the North Slave Region, which includes Behchokǫ̀, Wekweeti, and Whatì. At such extreme temperatures, exposed skin can freeze in less than two minutes, creating serious frostbite danger for anyone spending time outside. According to Environment Canada, extreme cold warnings for the Northwest Territories are issued when temperatures or wind chill values fall below minus 50 degrees Celsius.
Today, conditions have improved substantially. The temperature sits at minus 18 degrees Celsius with wind chill near minus 24 degrees Celsius. According to Environment Canada’s North Slave Region alert page, there are currently no active weather alerts in effect for Behchokǫ̀ or surrounding communities.
The relief comes as welcome news for the approximately 1,950 residents of this isolated Tłı̨chǫ community, which is located on the northwest tip of Great Slave Lake, about 110 kilometres northwest of Yellowknife. The community is the largest Tłı̨chǫ community in Canada’s North and serves as the headquarters of the Tłı̨chǫ Government.
However, the severe cold snap did take a toll on local infrastructure. Earlier this week, Behchokǫ̀’s Community Government asked residents to conserve water after the primary water intake at Edzo froze completely. Chief Bertha Rabesca Zoe described the situation as an emergency, noting it had been an exceptionally harsh winter for the community.
While conditions have improved, March in the Northwest Territories typically brings average temperatures between minus 12 and minus 23 degrees Celsius, meaning residents should still dress warmly for outdoor activities. But for now, the worst of the deep freeze has passed, allowing for safer conditions as the community moves toward spring.
