Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued the warning for Aklavik, Inuvik, Fort Good Hope, Norman Wells, Tulita, Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic and surrounding areas.
Although Natalie Hasell – a warning preparedness meteorologist with the ECCC – said it is more common for heat waves to occur in southern NWT communities, it is not unheard of to experience warmer temperatures in the Arctic. A reading of 38C in Siberia in 2020 raised concerns about extreme weather and human-induced climate. In the Northwest Territories, a “heat warning program” has only been in place since 2017. In 2017, no heat warnings were issued in the territory. In 2018 Hasell said there were “some” heat warnings. In 2019 warnings were issued for communities in South Slave and parts of the Dehcho region from July 17 to 25, however in 2020 heat warnings extended as far north as Sachs Harbour, Ulukhaktok, Paulatuk, Tuktoyaktuk, Aklavik and Inuvik, except The communities of the Tłı̨chǫ and South Slave region. In 2021, Hasell said the heat dome, originating in BC, affected the entire country and all communities in the territory. Hasell said the data shows there is a precedent for increased temperatures in the territory’s northern communities and said she suspects climate change is a “significant” factor. Hasell further pointed to last year’s heat dome and said it has been attributed to climate change and human activity, although she acknowledged that natural changes are also a factor. “We also know that areas in the North are affected by climate change much more than other areas of the country,” he said. “So maybe climate change is playing a bigger role and we’re seeing it in these warmer temperatures.”

Dome of heat over the area

Dave Phillips is a senior climatologist at ECCC. He said what’s important is the length of heat warnings. “One-day events happen all the time, but to take them for a pattern that sets and locks and doesn’t move, then that’s disturbing,” Phillips said. He pointed to Norman Wells as an example, saying the community of Shahtu could see seven consecutive days “if not more” of temperatures above 30C. “I don’t think there’s a place in Canada this summer that can say they’ve had more than five days over 30 degrees.” For a heat warning to be triggered, Phillips said there must be two consecutive days above 28 degrees and 13 degrees at night. Phillips said the current northern heat wave is the same weather pattern as last year’s historic heat dome, which “created some of the most destructive and deadly weather in Canadian history.” “That dome is now north of the Arctic Circle and it’s sitting right over … Inuvik and Aklavik and Norman Wells,” he said, adding that the dome also sits over parts of the Yukon. Phillips said that although the high temperatures are not caused by global warming, human activity is intensifying extreme weather. “Weather comes from so many different triggers and factors and sources, and to say it’s caused by climate change is the wrong answer,” Phillips said. “Did it make it worse? It did.”

Keeping calm

In Inuvik on Monday, temperatures reached 31 C. To stay cool, residents went to the lake, drank cold drinks and stayed close to fans whenever possible. One resident, Marshall Brown, said he was “in the most vegetative state”. Marshall Brown lives in Inuvik. To deal with the heat he says he tries to “relax as much as possible”. (Tianna Bane) Brown said there are no air conditioners available for purchase anywhere in the city, so he tries to “relax as much as possible.” The NWT Department of Health and Human Services suggests wearing loose clothing, staying hydrated, closing curtains to keep out the sun, taking cool showers and visiting air-conditioned buildings when possible. The department reminds residents not to leave children or pets in parked cars and to frequently check on young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses who are at higher risk of adverse health effects. Hasell and Phillips both warned that air quality was worse in some areas because of the nearby fires. “A combination of smoke and heat is particularly stressful,” Hasell said, adding that the combination makes it even more important for at-risk groups to take precautions. Symptoms of severe heat illness include dizziness, nausea, headaches, excessive thirst, and decreased urination. Anyone who feels unwell due to extreme heat should seek medical attention.