Climate change intensifying, not triggering, northern heat wave: climatologist
CBC
Some N.W.T. communities are under a heat warning this week with temperatures anticipated to hit 30 C in some Arctic regions.
Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) issued the warning for Aklavik, Inuvik, Fort Good Hope, Norman Wells, Tulita, Fort McPherson, Tsiigehtchic and surrounding areas.
Though Natalie Hasell — a warning preparedness meteorologist with ECCC — said it's more common for heat waves to occur in southern N.W.T. communities, it's not unheard of to have higher temperatures in the Arctic.
A 38 C reading in Siberia in 2020 raised concerns over extreme weather and human induced warming climate.
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 there were warnings issued for communities in the South Slave and parts of the Dehcho region from July 17-25, however in 2020 heat warnings stretched as far north as Sachs Harbour, Ulukhaktok, Paulatuk, Tuktoyaktuk, Aklavik and Inuvik, in addition to Tłı̨chǫ and South Slave region communities.
In 2021, Hasell said the heat dome, originating in B.C., impacted the entire country and all the communities of the territory.
Hasell said the data indicates there is precedent for raised 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 that has been attributed to climate change and human activity, though 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 parts of the country," she said. "So, perhaps climate change is playing a greater role and we're seeing that in these warmer temperatures."
Dave Phillips is a senior climatologist with ECCC.
He said what's important is the duration of the heat warnings.
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