Kivalliq region recovers from severe blizzards' disruptions

The Kivalliq region of Nunavut has faced heavy blizzards over the past week, but conditions are starting to improve. Many communities experienced significant snowfall, affecting local services and operations. On Tuesday, hamlet offices in Arviat, Baker Lake, and Rankin Inlet closed due to the severe weather. Ronnie Suluk, a resident of Arviat, reported seeing snow drifts as high as 15 feet. He described the situation as unusual and said that residents have been busy shoveling snow daily. Meteorologist Jesse Wagar from Environment and Climate Change Canada noted that while blizzards at this time of year are common, the duration of these storms is remarkable. Arviat has been under a blizzard warning since March 16 and has experienced about four days of blizzard conditions. Wagar explained that multiple low-pressure systems from the south have been causing the blizzard conditions, affecting not just Kivalliq but also parts of the Kitikmeot region. While some areas are seeing improvements, there is still a lot of blowing snow in the region.