Resolute, Nunavut

Resolute or Resolute Bay (Inuktitut: ᖃᐅᓱᐃᑦᑐᖅ, romanized: Qausuittuq, lit. 'place with no dawn') is an Inuit hamlet on Cornwallis Island in Nunavut, Canada. It is at the northern end of Resolute Bay and the Northwest Passage and is part of the Qikiqtaaluk Region. Resolute is one of Canada's northernmost communities and is second only to Grise Fiord on Ellesmere Island (Alert and Eureka are more northerly but are not considered towns; rather, military outposts and weather stations). It is also one of the coldest inhabited places in the world, with an average yearly temperature of −15.1 °C (4.8 °F). As in most other northern communities, the roads and most of the terrain are all gravel. It is also the closest transit location to Devon Island, the largest uninhabited island in the world, which contains the best-preserved crater on Earth – the Haughton impact crater, formed about 31 million years ago.

Infobox

Country

Canada

Territory

Nunavut

Region

Qikiqtaaluk

Electoral district

Quttiktuq

• Type

Hamlet Council

• Mayor

Aziz Kheraj

• MLA

Steven Taqtu

• Total

183

Elevation

66 m (217 ft)

• Density

1.6/km2 (4.1/sq mi)

Time zone

UTC−06:00 (CST)

• Summer (DST)

UTC−05:00 (CDT)

Canadian Postal code

X0A 0V0

Area code

867

Tables

Month

Climate data for Resolute (Resolute Bay Airport / Resolute CARS)WMO ID: 71924; coordinates 74°43′01″N 94°58′10″W / 74.71694°N 94.96944°W / 74.71694; -94.96944 (Resolute Bay Airport); elevation: 67.7 m (222 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1947–present

Month

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Year

Record high humidex

−0.8

−3.9

−2.8

0.0

5.6

18.8

20.4

15.0

8.9

1.4

−2.8

−4.1

20.4

Record high °C (°F)

−0.8(30.6)

−3.9(25.0)

−2.7(27.1)

0.0(32.0)

6.1(43.0)

18.3(64.9)

20.1(68.2)

15.3(59.5)

9.4(48.9)

2.0(35.6)

−2.8(27.0)

−3.6(25.5)

20.1(68.2)

Mean daily maximum °C (°F)

−28.0(−18.4)

−28.8(−19.8)

−26.0(−14.8)

−17.7(0.1)

−7.2(19.0)

2.8(37.0)

7.7(45.9)

4.6(40.3)

−1.7(28.9)

−9.4(15.1)

−18.3(−0.9)

−23.8(−10.8)

−12.2(10.0)

Daily mean °C (°F)

−31.4(−24.5)

−32.1(−25.8)

−29.4(−20.9)

−21.2(−6.2)

−10.1(13.8)

0.5(32.9)

4.9(40.8)

2.4(36.3)

−3.7(25.3)

−12.2(10.0)

−21.5(−6.7)

−27.3(−17.1)

−15.1(4.8)

Mean daily minimum °C (°F)

−34.6(−30.3)

−35.3(−31.5)

−32.8(−27.0)

−24.6(−12.3)

−12.9(8.8)

−1.7(28.9)

2.0(35.6)

0.2(32.4)

−5.6(21.9)

−15.0(5.0)

−24.4(−11.9)

−30.6(−23.1)

−17.9(−0.2)

Record low °C (°F)

−52.2(−62.0)

−52.0(−61.6)

−51.7(−61.1)

−42.1(−43.8)

−29.4(−20.9)

−16.7(1.9)

−3.1(26.4)

−9.3(15.3)

−20.6(−5.1)

−37.3(−35.1)

−42.8(−45.0)

−46.1(−51.0)

−52.2(−62.0)

Record low wind chill

−72.0

−69.6

−69.9

−60.5

−41.5

−27.1

−9.8

−17.1

−32.4

−57.1

−60.3

−63.8

−72.0

Average precipitation mm (inches)

4.9(0.19)

4.4(0.17)

7.4(0.29)

8.3(0.33)

8.6(0.34)

15.7(0.62)

29.3(1.15)

32.6(1.28)

19.0(0.75)

15.1(0.59)

12.0(0.47)

6.7(0.26)

164.1(6.46)

Average rainfall mm (inches)

0.0(0.0)

0.1(0.00)

0.6(0.02)

8.9(0.35)

25.1(0.99)

22.1(0.87)

3.7(0.15)

0.1(0.00)

0.0(0.0)

60.5(2.38)

Average snowfall cm (inches)

5.2(2.0)

4.3(1.7)

7.4(2.9)

6.3(2.5)

8.9(3.5)

7.4(2.9)

3.4(1.3)

8.0(3.1)

16.2(6.4)

18.4(7.2)

12.7(5.0)

7.1(2.8)

105.3(41.5)

Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)

7.2

6.9

8.5

7.2

8.5

7.8

11.1

13.7

12.4

13.1

11.0

8.3

115.6

Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)

0.0

0.04

0.44

4.1

9.8

8.6

2.1

0.25

0.0

25.4

Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)

6.9

6.6

7.9

6.5

8.1

5.2

2.4

6.0

11.0

13.3

10.6

8.1

92.5

Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST)

66.0

65.5

66.7

69.6

80.8

83.1

80.5

85.2

87.8

84.7

73.8

68.1

76.0

Mean monthly sunshine hours

—

132.2

291.7

307.9

298.1

299.4

138.4

58.9

30.3

0.7

—

Percentage possible sunshine

—

37.2

53.6

41.4

40.2

20.8

14.0

12.4

3.8

—

Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (sun 1981–2010)

Climate data for Resolute (Resolute Bay Airport / Resolute CARS)WMO ID: 71924; coordinates 74°43′01″N 94°58′10″W / 74.71694°N 94.96944°W / 74.71694; -94.96944 (Resolute Bay Airport); elevation: 67.7 m (222 ft); 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1947–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high humidex	−0.8	−3.9	−2.8	0.0	5.6	18.8	20.4	15.0	8.9	1.4	−2.8	−4.1	20.4
Record high °C (°F)	−0.8(30.6)	−3.9(25.0)	−2.7(27.1)	0.0(32.0)	6.1(43.0)	18.3(64.9)	20.1(68.2)	15.3(59.5)	9.4(48.9)	2.0(35.6)	−2.8(27.0)	−3.6(25.5)	20.1(68.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)	−28.0(−18.4)	−28.8(−19.8)	−26.0(−14.8)	−17.7(0.1)	−7.2(19.0)	2.8(37.0)	7.7(45.9)	4.6(40.3)	−1.7(28.9)	−9.4(15.1)	−18.3(−0.9)	−23.8(−10.8)	−12.2(10.0)
Daily mean °C (°F)	−31.4(−24.5)	−32.1(−25.8)	−29.4(−20.9)	−21.2(−6.2)	−10.1(13.8)	0.5(32.9)	4.9(40.8)	2.4(36.3)	−3.7(25.3)	−12.2(10.0)	−21.5(−6.7)	−27.3(−17.1)	−15.1(4.8)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)	−34.6(−30.3)	−35.3(−31.5)	−32.8(−27.0)	−24.6(−12.3)	−12.9(8.8)	−1.7(28.9)	2.0(35.6)	0.2(32.4)	−5.6(21.9)	−15.0(5.0)	−24.4(−11.9)	−30.6(−23.1)	−17.9(−0.2)
Record low °C (°F)	−52.2(−62.0)	−52.0(−61.6)	−51.7(−61.1)	−42.1(−43.8)	−29.4(−20.9)	−16.7(1.9)	−3.1(26.4)	−9.3(15.3)	−20.6(−5.1)	−37.3(−35.1)	−42.8(−45.0)	−46.1(−51.0)	−52.2(−62.0)
Record low wind chill	−72.0	−69.6	−69.9	−60.5	−41.5	−27.1	−9.8	−17.1	−32.4	−57.1	−60.3	−63.8	−72.0
Average precipitation mm (inches)	4.9(0.19)	4.4(0.17)	7.4(0.29)	8.3(0.33)	8.6(0.34)	15.7(0.62)	29.3(1.15)	32.6(1.28)	19.0(0.75)	15.1(0.59)	12.0(0.47)	6.7(0.26)	164.1(6.46)
Average rainfall mm (inches)	0.0(0.0)	0.0(0.0)	0.0(0.0)	0.1(0.00)	0.6(0.02)	8.9(0.35)	25.1(0.99)	22.1(0.87)	3.7(0.15)	0.1(0.00)	0.0(0.0)	0.0(0.0)	60.5(2.38)
Average snowfall cm (inches)	5.2(2.0)	4.3(1.7)	7.4(2.9)	6.3(2.5)	8.9(3.5)	7.4(2.9)	3.4(1.3)	8.0(3.1)	16.2(6.4)	18.4(7.2)	12.7(5.0)	7.1(2.8)	105.3(41.5)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.2 mm)	7.2	6.9	8.5	7.2	8.5	7.8	11.1	13.7	12.4	13.1	11.0	8.3	115.6
Average rainy days (≥ 0.2 mm)	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.04	0.44	4.1	9.8	8.6	2.1	0.25	0.0	0.0	25.4
Average snowy days (≥ 0.2 cm)	6.9	6.6	7.9	6.5	8.1	5.2	2.4	6.0	11.0	13.3	10.6	8.1	92.5
Average relative humidity (%) (at 1500 LST)	66.0	65.5	66.7	69.6	80.8	83.1	80.5	85.2	87.8	84.7	73.8	68.1	76.0
Mean monthly sunshine hours	—	—	132.2	291.7	307.9	298.1	299.4	138.4	58.9	30.3	0.7	—	—
Percentage possible sunshine	—	—	37.2	53.6	41.4	41.4	40.2	20.8	14.0	12.4	3.8	—	—
Source: Environment and Climate Change Canada (sun 1981–2010)

References

Composite data from Resolute CS: WMO ID: 71018; coordinates 74°42′57″N 94°58′59″W / 74.71583°N 94.98306°W / 74.71583;
https://geohack.toolforge.org/geohack.php?pagename=Resolute,_Nunavut&params=74_42_57_N_94_58_59_W_type:airport_region:CA-NU&title=Resolute+CS
Geographical Names Data Base
https://geonames.nrcan.gc.ca/search-place-names/unique?id=OANWX
"Municipal Election Results 2019-2020"
https://www.elections.nu.ca/sites/default/files/documents/municipal_council_election_results_2019_en.pdf
"2021 General Election"
https://www.elections.nu.ca/sites/default/files/documents/2021%20GE%20Results_0.pdf
"Population and dwelling counts: Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), Nunavut"
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=9810000202&geocode=A000262
Elevation at airport. Canada Flight Supplement. Effective 0901Z 27 November 2025 to 0901Z 22 January 2026.
Resolute at the Government of Nunavut
http://www.gov.nu.ca/sites/default/files/files/Resolute%20Bay%20Profile%20new%20layout.pdf
The Nunavut Handbook ISBN 1-55036-587-8
Canadian Climate Normals 1991-2020 Data
https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_normals/results_1991_2020_e.html?searchType=stnProv&lstProvince=NU&txtCentralLatMin=0&txtCentralLatSec=0&txtCentralLongMin=0&txtCentralLongSec=0&stnID=392000000&dispBack=0
"1981 Census of Canada: Census subdivisions in decreasing population order"
https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/statcan/CS94-905-1981.pdf
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https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2013/statcan/rh-hc/CS92-101-1987.pdf
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https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2013/statcan/rh-hc/CS93-304-1992.pdf
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https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2012/statcan/rh-hc/CS93-357-1997.pdf
"Population and Dwelling Counts, for Canada, Provinces and Territories, and Census Subdivisions (Municipalities), 2001 and 1996 Censuses – 100% Data (Nunavut)"
https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/english/census01/products/standard/popdwell/Table-CSD-P.cfm?T=1&SR=1&S=1&O=A&PR=62
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https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2006/dp-pd/hlt/97-550/Index.cfm?TPL=P1C&Page=RETR&LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=1&O=A&RPP=9999&CMA=0&PR=62
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https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2011/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table-Tableau.cfm?LANG=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=51&O=A&RPP=9999&CMA=0&PR=62
"Population and dwelling counts, for Canada, provinces and territories, and census subdivisions (municipalities), 2016 and 2011 censuses – 100% data (Nunavut)"
https://www12.statcan.gc.ca/census-recensement/2016/dp-pd/hlt-fst/pd-pl/Table.cfm?Lang=Eng&T=302&SR=1&S=86&O=A&RPP=9999&PR=62
"Resolute Bay Community History"
https://web.archive.org/web/20110715134445/http://www.qtcommission.com/actions/GetPage.php?pageId=18&communityId=12
High Arctic Weather Stations
https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/high-arctic-weather-stations
"Grise Fiord: History"
https://web.archive.org/web/20081228115824/http://www.grisefiord.ca/eng/history.html
publications.gc.ca
https://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2017/bcp-pco/Z1-1991-1-41-149-eng.pdf
McGrath, Melanie. The Long Exile: A Tale of Inuit Betrayal and Survival in the High Arctic. Alfred A. Knopf, 2006 (268 p
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http://www.fedpubs.com/subject/aborig/arctic_reloc.htm
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https://www.nytimes.com/2007/04/08/books/review/Royte.t.html?ex=1188964800&en=4b6eb6a89d7e85dd&ei=5070
"Resolute Bay, Nunavut"
https://web.archive.org/web/20110827165531/http://mailhub.edu.nu.ca/qikiqtani/orientation/ResoluteBay.html
Qiniq - History
https://www.qiniq.com/company/#history
SSI Canada - Our Story
https://www.ssicanada.com/our-story/
Planned army base, port in North heat up Arctic quest
https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/planned-army-base-port-in-north-heat-up-arctic-quest-1.648689?ref=rss
"Prime Minister Announces Expansion of Canadian Forces Facilities and Operations in the Arctic"
https://web.archive.org/web/20071115113618/http://www.pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=1&id=1784
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https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/north/military-s-arctic-training-facility-opens-in-resolute-1.1411838
"Canadian Forces to expand Nunavut training centre as Russia plans more bases in the Arctic"
https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/canadian-forces-to-expand-nunavut-training-centre-as-russias-plans-more-bases-in-the-arctic
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https://science.gc.ca/eic/site/063.nsf/eng/97265.html
climate.weather.gc.ca
https://climate.weather.gc.ca/climate_data/almanac_e.html?hlyRange=1953-01-01%7C2014-11-06&dlyRange=1947-10-01%7C2014-11-05&mlyRange=1947-01-01%7C2014-09-01&StationID=1776&Prov=NU&urlExtension=_e.html&searchType=stnName&optLimit=yearRange&StartYear=1840&EndYear=2016&selRowPerPage=25&Line=2&searchMethod=contains&month=5&day=7&txtStationName=resolute&timeframe=4&year=2017&Year=2017
"Sunrise and sunset for Resolute Bay"
http://www.timeanddate.com/sun/canada/resolute
NAV Canada
https://web.archive.org/web/20160910083450/http://www.navcanada.ca/EN/media/Publications/Local%20Area%20Weather%20Manuals/LAWM-Arctic-EN.pdf
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Contact with Europeans
http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/settlement/kids/021013-2071.3-e.html
Celina Kalluk at Strong Nations
https://www.strongnations.com/gs/show.php?gs=3&gsd=4273
Top Gear Team in Hot Water Over Pole Race
http://www.express.co.uk/posts/view/13538/Top-Gear-team-in-hot-water-over-Pole-race