Cambridge Bay, Nunavut

Cambridge Bay is located in the Arctic Coast Region on the southern shore of Queen Victoria Island in Canada's far north. At approximately 69 degrees north latitude the community lies on the shores of The Queen Maud Gulf to the south of the historic Northwest Passage. The elevation of the area is approximately 25m.

The site in Cambridge Bay was constructed in 1955 and served as an American radar station base built as a warning system in case of a Soviet Union attack from over the Arctic.. Today the town has a population of approximately 1400 and serves as the regional commercial center for the region. Tourism has become an important part of the local economy.

The Cambridge area is a part of the landform region called the Arctic lowlands consisting of flat barren land, rock deserts and permafrost. The surrounding area also has many shallow tundra lakes and rivers. For most of the year, this tundra region is covered in snow  with the cool summers allowing for the growth of only lichens, moss and straw-like grass where glacial till has been left behind by the moving ice cover.

The following data and climagraph represents the average temperature and precipitation for Cambridge Bay, Nunavut over the last 25 years.

Data for climagraph obtains from Environment Canada                                                                             

Climate Analysis

Cambridge Bay Nunavut experiences a continental climate that is characterized by cool temperatures in summer and extreme cold winters. The temperature range is approximately 42°C while the annual precipitation is around 141 millimetres.

Factors affecting the climate in Cambridge Bay, Nunavut:

Temperature:

Latitude: Cambridge Bay Nunavut has a latitude of 69° N. Being such a distance into the northern hemisphere the rays of the sun are at a large angle, this explains why the temperature is so cold.

Nearness to water: Although located near water, it remains frozen for most of the year therefore it has little moderating effect on temperature.

Air Masses: In winter this area is mainly affected by the Continental Arctic, a cold dry wind that flows out of the Arctic. This air mass brings the extremely cold temperatures that the area is subjected to. In summer, Maritime Arctic air flows from the north therefore is does not bring very warm conditions.

Precipitation:

Latitude: The northern location generally creates conditions that gives precipitation in the form of snow for six months of the year

Nearness to water: Although situated in the middle of the ocean, the winds affecting the area are not influenced by the ocean to any great degree because of the ice cover for a long part of the year.. However, in summer months when the waterways are open creates an opportunity for the winds to pick up moisture accounting for the increased precipitation in those months.

Air Masses: Generally originating from over the Arctic, means these winds will be very cold and hold very little moisture, accounting for the very small amount of precipitation in the area.

Landforms and Altitude: These factors have no significant impact on climate in this area

This report was prepared by: Kelly Francis.