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Ho, ho, ho! Here comes cold & snow
Latest GNWT forecast calls for below-average temperatures and above average precipitation heading into 2026
Most of the Northwest Territories is in for colder and snowier conditions through February, says the GNWT’s Department of Environment and Climate Change.
In its latest report, climate forecasts for December to February indicate cooler than average temperatures across the NWT, except for in the Beaufort-Delta region.
Precipitation is forecast to be above-average for most of the NWT, with the highest confidence in that forecast being for the Dehcho Region.
November precipitation was variable across the territory:
- Inuvik and Fort Smith received well above average precipitation;
- Yellowknife received above average precipitation;
- Norman Wells and Hay River received below average precipitation;
- and Fort Simpson received well below average precipitation.
November temperatures were much warmer than normal across the NWT.
Water levels and flow rates are very low across most of the NWT.
For example, Great Slave Lake is currently well below average and similar to the level recorded at this time last year.
Water levels on Great Slave Lake and the Mackenzie River are strongly influenced by precipitation received in northern British Columbia and Alberta.
So far this early winter, precipitation in these areas has been variable.
