Blizzard Warning Issued for Iqaluit and Kimmirut; Near-Zero Visibility and Extreme Wind Chill Expected
Environment Canada has issued a blizzard warning for Iqaluit and Kimmirut, forecasting hazardous travel conditions and wind chills near minus 50 through Wednesday.
Alert Details
Environment Canada has issued a blizzard warning for the region, citing expected blizzard conditions characterized by poor visibility in snow and blowing snow. The alert was issued on March 18, 2026, and remains in effect as conditions deteriorate.
Affected Areas
The following geographic regions are currently under the blizzard warning:
- Iqaluit
- Kimmirut
What You Should Do
Travel is expected to be hazardous due to near-zero visibility. Residents are advised to avoid unnecessary travel and continue to monitor alerts and forecasts issued by Environment Canada. To report severe weather, you can email NUstorm@ec.gc.ca, call 1-800-239-0484, or post reports on X using the hashtag #NUStorm.
Expected Conditions
Northerly winds are forecast to gust up to 70 km/h, creating near-zero visibility in snow and blowing snow. In Iqaluit, wind chill values are expected to approach the minus 50 mark. Blizzard warnings are specifically issued when near-zero visibility in blowing snow is anticipated.
Timeline
The blizzard is expected to last for most of the day today, March 18, 2026. The current alert is scheduled to expire at 12:06 AM on March 19, 2026.
Source: ECCC Official Notice