ARCTIC HEAT WAVE

[GordMay]

Arctic Heat Wave
Multiple locations, throughout Canada’s Northwest Territories [NWT], recorded their hottest August days on record.

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 [96.62°F], on Wednesday, hotter than Miami, Florida’s high temperature of 35°C.

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.

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.

Cooler temperatures are expected, by Friday, and into the weekend, as the ridge finally relaxes, and clouds, and rain, move into the region.

Typically at this time of year, temperatures, in the NWT, are much more temperate, with highs in the mid- to high-teens.