Arctic Geography
Natural Features

Arctic Climate
Environment

Canadian Inuit
Northern Population

References

Traditionally, cold temperatures persist in the Canadian Arctic for the majority of the year.  The northern extent of this grand landmass makes for limited sunlight during the winter months, thereby creating winter weather lasting from late-September through June.  The northern portion of the Canadian Arctic can be characterized as a desert-like environment due to limited precipitation and perennial permafrost.      

Although temperatures fluctuate regularly across the Canadian Arctic, an example that demonstrates harsh Arctic weather is Canadian Forces Station Alert.  Alert is the northernmost inhabited settlement in the world, located on the northeastern tip of Ellesmere Island.  Alert experiences winter weather virtually year-round with only July and August providing daily average temperatures above the freezing-level (3.3 and 0.8 Celsius respectively). 

Canadian Forces Station Alert
Photo Credit: The Maple Leaf -- Department of National Defence

Due to the cold Arctic climate and the presence of permafrost, infrastructure requirements for northern communities are different from southern Canada.  The most notable feature is the necessity to have buildings and houses raised above the ground (on stilts) so that the internal generated heat doesn’t melt the permafrost and cause problems for the foundation.  Also, in larger communities such as Inuvik, NWT, utility pipes and wiring are placed in ducts called “utilidors” that connect with the various houses and buildings where permafrost doesn’t allow for the normal practice of burying such fixtures underground.