Climate change intensifies, doesn’t kick in, northern heatwave: climatologist

Some communities in the Northwest Territories are under a heat warning this week, with temperatures expected to reach 30°C in parts of the Arctic.

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, meteorologist in charge of warning preparedness at ECCC, stated that it is more common for heat waves to occur in communities in the southern Northwest Territories, it is not uncommon for higher temperatures occur in the Arctic.

A reading of 38 C in Siberia in 2020 raised concerns about extreme weather and human-induced global warming.

In the Northwest Territories, a “heat warning program” has only existed 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 the South Slave and parts of the Dehcho region from July 17-25, but in 2020 heat warnings extended as far north as Sachs Harbour, Ulukhaktok, Paulatuk, Tuktoyaktuk, Aklavik and Inuvik, in addition to Tłı̨chǫ Communities and the South Slave region.

In 2021, Hasell said the heat dome, which originated in British Columbia, affected the entire country and every community in the territory.

Hasell said the data indicates there is precedent for high temperatures in northern communities in the territory, and said she suspects climate change is a “significant” factor.

Hasell further pointed to last year’s heat dome and said it was attributed to climate change and human activity, although she acknowledged that natural changes are also a factor.

“We also know that the northern regions are much more affected by climate change than other regions of the country,” she said. “So maybe climate change is playing a bigger role and we’re seeing that in these warmer temperatures.”

Heat dome over the region

Dave Phillips is a senior climatologist at ECCC.

He said what matters is the duration of heat warnings.

“One-day events happen all the time, but to bring them to a pattern that settles and locks and doesn’t move, then that’s awkward,” Phillips said.

He cited Norman Wells as an example, saying the Sahtu community could see “if not more” seven days in a row of temperatures above 30°C.

“I don’t think there’s been a place in Canada this summer that can say it’s had more than five days above 30 degrees.”

To trigger a heat warning, 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 feature as last year’s historic heat dome, which “created some of the most destructive and deadly weather conditions in Canadian history. “.

“This dome is now north of the Arctic Circle and it sits just above … Inuvik, Aklavik and Norman Wells,” he said, adding that the dome also sits above parts of the Yukon.

Phillips said while hot temperatures aren’t caused by global warming, human activity is intensifying extreme weather.

“Time comes from so many different triggers, factors and sources, and to say it was caused by climate change is the wrong answer,” Phillips said. “Did it get worse? It did.”

stay cool

In Inuvik on Monday, temperatures reached 31°C. To stay cool, residents went to the lake, drank cold drinks and stayed near fans when possible.

One resident, Marshall Brown, said he was “in the most vegetative state possible.”

Brown said there are no air conditioners available for purchase anywhere in the city, so he tries “to relax as much as possible.”

NWT Department of Health and Social Services suggests wear loose clothing, stay hydrated, close curtains to block out the sun, take cool showers, and visit air-conditioned buildings when possible.

The department reminds residents not to leave children or pets in parked cars and to check often on young children, pregnant women, the elderly and people with chronic illnesses who are at higher risk of adverse health effects.

Both Hasell and Phillips warned that air quality was worse in some areas due to nearby wildfires.

“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, headache, extreme thirst, and decreased urination. Anyone feeling unwell from extreme heat should seek medical attention.