Iqaluit takes forecast for cooler-than-normal summer in stride
Snowfall on first day of summer doesn't stop some residents from wearing flip flops and shorts
It snowed in Iqaluit on the first day of summer and residents of Nunavut's capital should expect similar cooler-than-normal conditions over the rest of the season.
The capital saw snow flurries several times so far during June and even white-out conditions on June 22. In under two hours Monday, several centimetres of wet snow dropped on the city.
It snows in June all the time. I don't know why people are freaking out.- Christina Stoney
The snow has since melted but Environment Canada's Senior Climatologist David Phillips says it's a sign of things to come.
"Our models are suggesting cooler than normal in July, August and September.
"It's still the warm season so everything is relative but the temperatures look like they are going to be a little bit on the cool side."
According to Environment Canada, the average daily temperature for Iqaluit in June is 3.6 C; in July it's 8.2 C.
On the streets of the city, residents downplayed the snowfall. Christina Stoney, originally from Pangnirtung, said there are advantages to colder weather.
"To me it's normal, it snows in June all the time. I don't know why people are freaking out. It keeps the dust down, no mosquitoes. I prefer snow over rain actually."
Markosie Pitsiulak didn't seem concerned, sporting flip-flops and shorts while running errands.
"I grew up here. Maybe that's why it's not cold for me," he said.
Cedric Rusike has lived in Iqaluit for two years but this is the first summer he will spend in the territory. He said he hopes things will warm up just a little more.
"I'm just hoping we get a good month or two of T-shirt weather before getting back into winter."