Canada’s three northern territories, which include Arctic regions, this week experienced record-breaking high temperatures about ten degrees Celsius above normal.
Even more remarkable: the community of Kugluktuk, Nunavut set temperature records for the sixth consecutive day on Tuesday, hitting 29 degrees. Typically it’s about 13 degrees there at this time of year.
“I’ve never felt an August this warm, for this length of time,” said Kugluktuk resident Barbara Olson.
Many northerners are taking to the water to cool off, some even snorkeling in the Arctic Ocean.
The extreme temperatures combined with the dry climate of the Arctic creates ideal conditions for wildfires.
In the Northwester Territories, fire bans have been imposed in numerous territorial parks, as well as in the capital city of Yellowknife.
Relief may come soon. Cloudier skies are forecast across the North this week.
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