Photo: The Eastern Arctic’s upside-down weather

As with many spots in the eastern Arctic, Iqaluit’s weather has turned upside-down this winter. Yet another warm spell hit the community just after New Year’s Day, bringing rain, fog, drizzle and wet slippery roads. The icy road conditions led to a shutdown of most municipal functions on the morning of Jan. 4, and numerous airline flights were delayed. On Jan. 3 and Jan. 4, the temperatures in Iqaluit hovered between 0 C and plus 1 C. But the Eastern Arctic’s warmest hot-spot was Pangnirtung, where the temperature soared to a stunning plus 8 C. Seasonal normals for the two communities usually range between -30 C and -22 C. (PHOTO BY JIM BELL)