Weather conditions matter greatly for those traveling on land, water and ice in the Arctic. We built and maintained five remote weather stations with hunters, recreationists, and families in the area of Clyde River, Nunavut, Canada, in locations chosen by community members. The information from these stations is valuable and used frequently by local residents as well as by climatologists and modelers. However, standard weather measurements, such as temperature or wind speed, do not tell the whole story. Working with our Inuit partners, we developed "human-relevant environmental variables (HREVs)" to communicate more about conditions that matter to people. One well-known example of an HREV is wind-chill factor, which combines temperature and wind speed to give a better idea of how the air will feel to a person outdoors. One HREV of local interest is wave height, which is a major factor in safety for those traveling along the coast in small, open boats. Waves are created by wind, and wave height builds over distance. If the wind is blowing offshore, waves close to shore will be small. If the wind blows over a long stretch of open water, waves will be bigger. Topography also matters, if a valley is aligned with the wind, it creates a zone of higher wind and bigger waves. Accounting for these controls, we modeled wave height, using data from our remote weather stations and other sources, and created a display that meets the needs of our Inuit partners and audience. Doing so helps improve the ability to deliver relevant information in a timely manner, for the use and benefit of local residents and others traveling, working or recreating in the area.

We also explored the ways that weather affects Inuit when traveling. Local hunters kept records of their activities and their weather observations, often working with local youth to help teach skills and terminology. We found that weather-related decisions are often highly subjective, depending on the individual's reasons for travel, travel companions, expectations for future conditions, and other factors. Accordingly, we decided that a model of weather and decisions was a futile undertaking because there were too many factors that would be hard or impossible to put into a general model. Instead, the information from this part of the project was helpful in developing the human-relevant environmental variables, since the hunters' insights helped us understand what aspects of weather mattered most. During the open-water season, wave height is a major concern. During snow season, visibility is a major concern, and can be hampered by blowing snow and also by flat light conditions, in which terrain hazards cannot be seen. The ability to be prepared for changing weather conditions is also essential for safe travel, as is appropriate knowledge of the land, ice, ocean and the weather. Creating opportunities for experienced travelers to share such knowledge with youth is of vital importance to the community.

Our project thus served two main aims. Scientifically, we learned a great deal about weather and how to understand and generate more community-relevant information on human-relevant environmental variables. We also learned a great deal about how Inuit perceive weather and how it does, or does not, affect their activities. More broadly, we created a system for providing near-real-time weather information for the residents of Clyde River. Furthermore, we trained local partners in the construction, operation, and maintenance of the remote weather stations, so that they can keep the system running after our project has ended. Doing so has contributed to local capacity and information, to the long-term benefit of Clyde River. The project's success is largely due to the engagement of the community from proposal conception to its end, and to relationships and trust built over more than a decade of sharing. Mutual exchange of  tools, techniques, skills and knowledge was a project-long objective and priority.

Last Modified: 06/18/2023
Modified by: Glen E Liston