Climate change in the Mackenzie Mountains, N.W.T., Canada

Abstract

It was found that the mean annual air temperature increased by 3.6°C (1968 to 1992) at Ross River, 1.6°C (1974 to 1982) at Tsichu River, 1.8°C (1966 to 1990) at Tungsten and 0.9°C (1943 to 1992) at Normal Wells. The Norman Wells temperature rise was less than the other stations, however after 1980 the rise was of a greater mangitude. The magnitude of mean annual temperature rise increased from east to west over the 500 km between the most distant stations. Mean summer rainfall for Ross River, Tungsten, Tsichu River and Sheldon Lake increased by 6, 86, 51, and 50 mm, respectively. Norman Wells rainfall decreased by about 42 mm. -Authors