Winds hitting Nunavut are 'unusual' this time of year, says meteorologist

The unseasonablyhigh windsthat ripped through Cambridge Bay and other communities in western Nunavut on Thursday are now headingnorth to Grise Fiord.

"It's an uncharacteristic low pressure system for this time of year," said Sarah Hoffman, a meteorologist with Environment Canada.

July and August in Cambridge Baytypically bring calm and stable conditions, she said, notwinds gusting between 90 to 110 kilometres per hour.

As for the cause of this week's turbulence,Hoffman attributed that to the big differential between the cold air in the North and hot air from the South.

While the wind warning issued by Environment Canada on Thursdayis now overfor Cambridge Bay, the damage remains.

Curtis Norberg shared a photo of the large sign by the territorial park entrance near Ovayok (Mount Pelly) that had been ripped off.

The winds also tore sheets fromroofsand siding from the co-op warehouse, it alsopushedpower poles so they were leaning sideways.

On Thursday morning, residentAopak Angulalik, said she sawpeople struggling to close car doors.

The high winds in Cambridge Bayalso closed municipal services, shut offices and businesses, postponed events and cancelled flights.

What Hoffman called a "significant wind" is now hitting Grise Fiordwith gusts also ranging between 90 to 110 kilometres per hour.

Already on Friday morning, the weather had closed businesses, offices and cancelled a flight south to Resolute Bay.

Hoffman cautioned Nunavut residents who may be on the land to keep an eye out for a wind warning.

"A strong wind on the water is really scary and can cause capsizing," she said. "On the land, you're exposed,that can be a tough thing to wait ou."