Churchill polar bear reports still showing fewer problems than last year

Churchill, Manitoba’s Polar Bear Alert Program is still reporting many fewer problems with polar bears onshore than it did last year at the same point in the ice-free season (week 5, 7-13 August):

Churchill PB reports_week 5_ Aug 7-13_2017

Compare to week five last year (2016), when bears came ashore in excellent condition:

2016 Aug 8-14_week 5

Although it’s been warmer than average recently (25.4 degrees C yesterday, expected to reach 29 degrees C today and 28 degrees C tomorrow), according to Environment Canada weather records, that’s not even close to an August record-breaker temperature for Churchill.

Current conditions and the 7 day forecast for Churchill at 15 August 2017 from Environment Canada:

Churchill temp_15 Aug 2017 current and 7 day forecast

In 1991, the second week of August saw temperatures 30 degrees or greater two days in a row (August 10-11): on 11 August 1991, it was a sweltering 36.9 degrees C:

Churchill temp_11 Aug 1991

Those historical records also show it was 30 degrees C on 12 August 1967, 30.6 degrees C on 14 August 1992, and 31.2 degrees C in 2003.

Churchill temp_12 Aug 1967

Churchill temp_14 Aug 1992

Churchill temp_16 Aug 2003

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