Nunavut, Canada, digs out after week long blizzard by Steph Ball
Residents of Nunavut, on the western Shores of Hudson Bay, are continuing to dig their way out after a week of blizzards. Although it is not unusual for this region to suffer from blizzards which can last a few days, a meteorologist for Environment Canada said that seven days in a row was “one for the books”.
The definition of blizzards can differ from region to region. In this region though a blizzard is defined as snow reducing the visibility to less than 2/3 of a mile (1km) for at least 6 hours, with winds at a minimum of 25mph (40km/h).
The communities of Rankin Inlet, Whale Cove and Baker Lake were effectively cut off as low pressure lingered across the region bringing heavy snow falls, strong winds and with temperatures in some areas dipping below -30C (-22F).
Nunavut has suffered a week long spate of these blizzards which forced the closure of schools and offices, stopped flights and crippled the road network. Conditions were made worse by the fact that the region currently experiences 18hours of darkness a day. Snowdrifts are said to have got so deep that snowmobilers ventured dangerously close to overhead power lines. Food stores in Nunavut’s Kivalliq region were also left bare with no means of fresh supplies being delivered.
Yesterday the weather eased enough to allow fresh produce and supplies to be delivered to the region. However, the break in the weather was to be just a short respite, with further snow and high winds forecast for today (Thursday).
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