Climate

Because Nunavut is so big, the weather varies. Winters are severe. The northern cities have an average temperature in January of -35ºC (-31ºF). July temperatures average 10ºC (50ºF). Summers are milder, but the temperature can drop suddenly. Conditions in all parts of the territory can become hazardous very quickly whenever there is a low temperature and a strong wind. Local advice concerning weather conditions should be followed very carefully. Nevertheless, the summer months are suitable for a wide range of activities. People have dress properly to deal with the weather. Winter weather requires down-filled and other polar-temperature gear. Special clothing is required for adventure expeditions. Good quality windproof and waterproof clothes, warm jerseys, gloves and moulded sole shoes are needed at all times of the year. In the summer, thinner clothes are required. Sunglasses and sun screen are strongly advised. Mosquitoes are a significant irritant in some areas during July and August. A net and repellent are essential. Nunavut gets very little precipation every year. When bad weather lasted a long period of time, Inuit (aboriginal) women used to burn a piece of bear skin thinking that would change the weather.

Canada's newest territory is located in the eastern far north and includes the Arctic Circle. The parks protect the remote wilderness landscape that has features such as glaciers, fjords, highlands mountains, lakes and rivers, where muskox, caribou, Arctic wolf, walrus, Polar bears, whales and many other species live in the short-lived warmth of perpetual summer daylight and the frozen desert conditions of the perpetual winter night. Visitors are attracted to the scenery and recreational activities such as boating, fishing and hiking.