Exceptionally rare Arctic heat wave shatters all-time records
Several communities in the Far North saw their hottest temperatures ever recorded this week
It’s not every day that the Arctic Circle runs hotter than Miami, Florida.
We’re in the midst of a historic heat wave across Canada’s Far North as the region roasts beneath some of North America’s hottest temperatures.
Several communities in the Northwest Territories recorded their all-time highest readings this week. This is only the second true heat wave observed in Inuvik, where temperatures are nearly double where they should be for this point in August.
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A weather station in Little Chicago, located within the Arctic Circle along the Mackenzie River in the Northwest Territories, recorded a historic high temperature of 35.9°C on Wednesday.
Not only is this the hottest temperature ever observed at Little Chicago, but it was even hotter than Wednesday’s high temperature of 35°C all the way down in Miami, Florida.
Fort McPherson, Inuvik, and Trail Valley also saw their all-time hottest readings on Wednesday as readings soared into the mid-30s across the region.
This is only the second heat wave on record in Inuvik—the community’s only three-day heat wave prior to this one occurred in the beginning of July 2022.
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Multiple locations throughout the N.W.T. recorded their hottest August days on record, including a 35.7°C reading at Fort Good Hope. A high of 30.2°C measured in Paulatuk was just one-tenth of one degree off of their all-time record.
A significant ridge of high pressure parked over northwestern Canada is responsible for this formidable spell of Arctic heat. Air sinks beneath ridges, warming up and drying out as it descends toward the ground. This allows temperatures to soar far above normal beneath clear, sunny skies.
Things won’t stay this hot for much longer. One more day of excessive heat is on tap Thursday before a pattern change arrives by the end of the week. Cooler temperatures are expected by Friday and into the weekend as the ridge finally relaxes and clouds and rain move into the region.
